Possible Tristan Wirfs Holdout
July 4th, 2024
Negotiating tactic.
Joe is not advocating this. But Joe can surely understand why and how it could happen.
Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs wants a new contract. Who can blame him? He’s one of the better tackles in the game and in the final weeks of his first season at left tackle since he was a freshman at Iowa, Wirfs dominated defensive ends.
And yes, Joe means “dominated.” Owned. Not against stiffs, either.
In listing players who he feels could sit out training camp unless they get a new pact, the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio, thinks there is a chance Wirfs is not practicing with the Bucs when training camp opens up in three weeks — three weeks!
With only $18.44 million in salary for 2024, he’s been looking for a new deal all year. He showed up at mandatory minicamp. Again, that’s no guarantee he’ll show up for training camp unless he gets a contract offer that prompts him to sign on the dotted line.
Wirfs is due $21 million guaranteed this season.
Yes, Wirfs was at OTAs and minicamp. He watched underwear football practices from the sidelines. He just didn’t strap on a helmet. He worked out, pumped weights.
(The same cannot be said for MIA outside linebacker Randy Gregory.)
And Joe cannot blame Wirfs for not suiting up. He saw with his own eyes in July 2022 how then-Bucs Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen had his career ruined by a knee injury — in an underwear football practice for crying out loud.
If Wirfs had a similar injury, how many tens of millions of dollars would he lose? Maybe hundreds of millions. Way, way too much to run that risk.
Joe remembers this past winter, former Bucs guard and current popular sports radio personality Ian Beckles said if he was Wirfs’ agent, there would be no way he’d allow Wirfs to step on a practice field without a new contract.
It seems Wirfs’ camp has heeded Beckles’ words.
July 4th, 2024 at 8:27 am
I just despise everything that comes out of Florio’s mouth. And I can say that cause this is America!!
Happy 4th !!!
July 4th, 2024 at 8:30 am
Nah…management won’t be so lame as to pinch pennies on Wirfs. Not gonna happen…is it?
July 4th, 2024 at 8:30 am
They’ll sign him…..too much is at stake. If they want the most out of Mayfield they won’t have a back up LT protecting his blindside.
July 4th, 2024 at 8:37 am
And so the train wreck begins.
July 4th, 2024 at 8:47 am
Sign the man already, he’s paid his dues, proved his worth, loyal to the team and City. Pay him get him in training camp and ready for the season. Let’s not mess this u. This team feels so close to having all the right pieces in place,but the chemistry and camaraderie is just unbelievable and wirfs is a main staple for all that
July 4th, 2024 at 9:16 am
Jason & Co. should get the deal done, but if it’s slow to come together the only option for Wirfs is staying on the sidelines.
July 4th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Clearly he will be signed. Clearly it will be a huge contract. Greenberg and company are just working out the details. Obviously that matters in the grand scheme for the near future.
July 4th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Licht already said it would get done. Its just a process.
Florio has to find something to write about this time of year just like every other NFL talking head and content provider. Even Joe is starting to dig into his ‘save for summer when there’s little else to write about’ notebook…
Nothing to see here….
July 4th, 2024 at 9:19 am
Get it done Bucs. Wirfs is the epitome of what you’ve been trying to build here with talent and culture and, have done a great job doing it. Players who are talented and ‘love football’. Team guys. Leaders. He’s a generational talent. Wirfs is Anthony Munoz level. Arguably, even better. Get it done Bucs.
July 4th, 2024 at 9:23 am
Agreed. These contracts are ridiculouly detailed and flexible. Licht is probably still finding a structure/amount that makes both sides happy. Takes time is all. They finalized the Winfield Jr contract right on time. I expect the same here.
July 4th, 2024 at 10:09 am
The NFL Speculation Season is in full swing. Who am I going to believe, Florio or Licht? Nuf sed
July 4th, 2024 at 10:12 am
Glazers is so cheap. Just pay up!
July 4th, 2024 at 10:17 am
Lots of things are possible. Kay Adams could run over me in a parking lot and offer to make it up to me “somehow.”
Jason’s got this. Flowerio has to write speculative what ifs, it’s the job right now.
Let’s all eat some unhealthy grilled flesh, consume way too much alcohol, and set crap on fire.
July 4th, 2024 at 10:32 am
Wirfs is a once-in-a-generation talent and a Buc for life. Stop with the worrying Joe.
July 4th, 2024 at 10:32 am
I think it should be mandatory that every player has to finish out their contract before getting a new one. I believe Wirfs does deserve to be resigned and for top LT money. However so many players now days play a couple years on a 4 or 5 year deal and see someone playing the same position get more money and half way through there contract they want more money. See Tyrek Hill for example.
July 4th, 2024 at 10:58 am
BucFan81 – the fan in me agrees with you, but looking at it from the other side —a team has the right to cut a player at anytime. Sure, someone like Wirfs is gonna get snapped up quicker than free cookies at school lunch. But I understand why players hold out, it’s the only leverage they have and they accept the risk of not getting paid for doing it.
Wirfs won’t, Jason’s got this, writers gotta write, tards gotta tard.
July 4th, 2024 at 11:05 am
Look, I’m no big Florio fan… I mean, he aight. He does have a TON of high-level, top of the food chain contacts/relationships/sources/etc. But, just comes off as way too braggadocios and douchey for me… And hell, look at him LoL. All he said was there is a chance that he won’t be signed by the start of training camp. And, if not then he will be sitting out! This Is TRUE. 💯. I don’t get the attacks on him for saying this and saying that you trust Licht over him!? What is there to “trust” – Did Florio ever say that the Bucs will NOT re-sign him and should instead, just let him walk after this season!? Nooooo. I don’t believe he ever said that. He only made the simple observation that he STILL remains unsigned. And that is it. So, what then… Do YOU believe Wirfs WILL BE practicing everyday, even without a new contract!? Not a chance. It’s obvious. Nothing to see here, other than the fact that Wirfs still, remains unsigned.
July 4th, 2024 at 11:58 am
Florio is the bottom of the barrel in sports reporting.
I could care less what comes out of his mouth. Him and his buddy Simms.
July 4th, 2024 at 11:59 am
You might not like Florio,
but he has a good explanation as to why
the Bucs need to sign Wirfs sooner rather
than later. They should have offered an extension
last year.
The sooner you resign your draft picks, the lower
the per year cost.
July 4th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Check Floro’s YouTube channel about extentions to rookie deals.
July 4th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Florio is basically insufferable these days. A former lawyer turned woke ass tattletale NFL “reporter”…..
July 4th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Smart guys don’t lose money to make money, they spend it. He signed the contract so play it until they make one that both can live with. He holds out now he loses it. The Bucs know his worth so a little patience will get him more
July 4th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Wirfs is that man!
July 4th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Possibly holding out in a contract year. Didn’t D vin just pull that also? No comparison talent wise but a contract is a contract.
I’d want to get a new deal done also if I tend to have some ankle issues through the year that might sideline me. No needs to highlight that issue next to the guaranteed amount he has to be wanting…
July 4th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Even, IF he’s not signed before the season starts, he’s GONNA play it that first GAME. Period. You can take it to the bank. He’s just not practicing and risking getting hurt is all. And, I don’t blame him. Neither would YOU. The Bucs should’ve already done the deal. Just get it DID already! The longer you wait, it’s just the more $$$$ it’ll be. I mean, what else are you waiting for… Are you betting against him, by betting on him getting hurt!? There’s no excuse. Unless, he doesn’t wanna be here. Just Get it DONE. Do you not want him to practice… And, then get hurt in the very first game of the season for being out of “football-shape!?” I mean, come on.
July 4th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
They need to give him a solid contract for sure.
Maybe 3 yrs with a hefty guarantee.
He is the gatekeeper for our QB.
You are literally beefing up 2 positions with 1 contract.
July 4th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Saying that Ian Beckles is popular is a faaaaar stretch! That being said , I’m not worried about Wirfs. His deal will get done , they will lower that cap number for this year to give the Bucs some more wiggle room and he will get a nice hefty signing bonus Ali h with a fat contract .
July 4th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Along*
July 4th, 2024 at 3:23 pm
No way Tristan should set foot on the field, until his new deal is signed.
Especially with that simple Logan Hall still stumbling around on defense.
Happy 4th Brothers and Sisters. Hope you all have a great day!
July 4th, 2024 at 3:31 pm
Sign him now Jason. He will be cheaper to sign as a dominant left tackle than he will be next year as an All-Pro left tackle.
July 4th, 2024 at 4:41 pm
I’m sure they’ll get him signed the day before camp starts, but if not, he won’t step foot on the field.
July 4th, 2024 at 4:50 pm
I remember Ian saying that last year too. Good of you to credit him.
It was going right on schedule until Detroit for some reason blew up the plan by paying Sewell 28 million a year. About 3 more than the market asks. Now the Bucs are going to have to pay Wirfs 3.5 million a year more than they planned and accounted for. It’s possible Somebody will get cut in a cost saving move to account for this money. Hopefully it will just take a restructured contract or two to get this done. The amateur money men at Detroit are definitely to blame for this delay.
July 4th, 2024 at 7:20 pm
He can hold out for camp, but he can’t hold out all season. If he does, he’d still owe the Bucs that 5th year option. Something will get done. I’m wondering who ran with the one’s at LT during OTAs?
July 4th, 2024 at 7:24 pm
@Jeff – You are joking , right ? Glazers are cheap ? Last time I checked, they don’t leave much of anything left for salary cap ! Just enough to sign someone in case of injury . So spare us your lack of knowledge about our Bucs and ownership. Go Bucs
July 4th, 2024 at 7:49 pm
Florio is an Ass-Munch…sorry Rod, no slight…but in this I agree..
July 4th, 2024 at 8:23 pm
Name all the players Licht hasn’t resigned.
You can’t name one.
Resigning players is Licht’s super power.
July 4th, 2024 at 11:04 pm
I respect you Tristan but come on bro play the year for your team for the Buccaneers that drafted you don’t be one of these freaking guys please I’m begging you please don’t be that guy for more reasons than one you’re making more this year than my whole family is made in their whole lifetime so just play the damn season and quit complaining
July 5th, 2024 at 4:44 am
Mike Florio names several others too that may be in holdout. I don’t blame Wirf and he should be careful that he doesn’t get hurt like Jensen. Wish him the best with the negotiations. We need him. He had a really good season last year and 2021. I don’t think he had any penalties last year either. He deserves the money.
It was interesting reading all the others that may be in holdout. Stafford and Tua were two examples. Haason Reddick is one of the top pass rushers and could be available. But it’s all about who are going to spend the money for them.
July 5th, 2024 at 5:58 am
I can’t remember the last serious hold out we had. I remember Gruber and Brooks but since then? Anybody out there in the interwebs know?
Go Bucs!
July 5th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Tristan is a total class act. Not only one of the best OTs and players in the league, but a fine example of how a young professional athlete should act. A role model for kids. Its so rare nowadays. Versus the other pieces of garbage in the NFL.
Give him everything he’s due.
July 5th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
So Florio is only assuming he MIGHT hold out. And Wirfs has done nothing to even hint that he will.
July 5th, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Don’t pay Wirfs until next year.
July 6th, 2024 at 12:05 am
As a distant cousin on the west coast, would like him.as a Seahawk!
Tristan has a large group of relatives he may not be aware of as some of them went west in the middle 1800s.Federal Way (chris) snd Vancouver, (myself, Paul, and Tarek)WA. Salem (Peter), Ellen Hensley (my sister) Dallas, McMinnville (Mahlon), OR. And a few others in Oregon.