Report: Tristan Wirfs, Bucs Far Apart
July 29th, 2024
The latest.
This is interesting to Joe only because so many signs are pointing in the opposite direction of the report.
Plugged-in NFL reporter Jordan Schultz took to Twitter late last night to report that his sources tell him Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs and the Bucs are far apart in contract negotiations.
Just at face value, this report seems, well, unique. Follow along with Joe here:
First, Tristan Wirfs ended his holdout when training camp opened. Wirfs’ agent, Joe is just going to take a stab, would be irate with that reality if indeed the two parties are far apart.
The second is, which Joe and the Sage of Tampa Bay sports Ira Kaufman discussed in his latest edition of the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” Jason Licht went on local radio last week and said Wirfs should be the highest-paid tackle in the league.
Now why on earth would Licht p!ss away all of his leverage by saying that? Answer: Because Licht possibly already has a handshake deal in place and the two sides are just working on the language of the contract or perhaps the length of the contract.
Additionally, Joe spoke with Wirfs after practice Sunday. It was the hottest practice thus far this summer. Not only was Wirfs kind enough to give Joe some time, Wirfs spent like 30-40 minutes or so after practice chatting with fans, taking selfies, signing anything shoved in his face.
Wirfs was in a really, really good mood. Not that he’s a sourpuss; he’s always in a good mood. But Joe sensed that Wirfs was more than his normal happy-go-lucky self.
Perhaps knowing a deal is nearing completion and the untold tens of millions that come along with said deal, well, that would make anyone happy as hell, even if one is melting under the brutal Florida summer sun.
Sources: The #Bucs and All-Pro OT Tristan Wirfs remain “very far apart” on a long-term contract extension.
One source described the extension talks as “miles apart.” The 25-year-old Wirfs is in the final year of his contract. pic.twitter.com/wTVBiageez
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 29, 2024
July 29th, 2024 at 12:07 am
Licht has really dropped the ball on this one. Wirfs will not be suiting up for the Bucs this year.
July 29th, 2024 at 12:22 am
Derek – put the eggplant away. Don’t let it type for you anymore.
Another reporter in need of imbecillin.
July 29th, 2024 at 12:27 am
We heard the same thing less than a week before Evans was signed. And Baker.
July 29th, 2024 at 12:31 am
Derek
this isn’t accurate. the deal will get done. Licht hasn’t dropped a thing. he’s doing just fine.
July 29th, 2024 at 12:35 am
Schultz doesn’t have the best track record overall
July 29th, 2024 at 12:48 am
How can they possibly be “miles apart” when Licht has already agreed that he should be the highest paid?!?
Bold.
July 29th, 2024 at 1:22 am
Haha yeah this doesn’t really make any sense given Licht just saying what he said. Weird.
July 29th, 2024 at 1:43 am
I don’t trust Schultz sources. With Schultz, by the time the fish has gotten to him it looks more like a Giraffe.
July 29th, 2024 at 1:58 am
I remember hearing this before…
Lets see, Baker Mayfield… Antoine Winfield Jr… Mike Evans… Lavonte David…
That’s off the top of my head.
It will get done.
No idea why it wasn’t done the first day it could get done, but it will done.
July 29th, 2024 at 2:12 am
My sources say his sources are full of sh*t
July 29th, 2024 at 6:29 am
Very simple, give him top money. 10 years 275 million fully guaranteed should do it, make him the Mahomes of OT’s. It will be a bargain in 2 years.
July 29th, 2024 at 7:00 am
Sick of having his legs cut out, Wirfs’ agent sends a smoke signal. He’s just doing his job. Wirfs isn’t going anywhere.
July 29th, 2024 at 7:08 am
A deal will get done, but Wirfs really has no leverage. He’s on his 5th year option meaning even if he held out all year, he’d still owe the Bucs that year. After the fifth year option the Bucs could still franchse him. Why the players union agreed on this for 1st round picks is beyond me, but I bet next CBA the players will want this out. As much as I love Wirfs, and think he should get paid it’s getting rediculous that every new contract for these players has to be worth so much more then the next one. Every new contract can’t be worth more then the last one, because it’s the next one.
July 29th, 2024 at 8:14 am
So many rumors were going on about Baker and Evans re-signing too. In the end, they signed. I got the feeling in Ira’s latest podcast that Licht was working with Wirf. Take those words over anything that NFL reporter Jordan Schultz puts on Twitter.
Hodad – Good point. Unfortunately, the money and the newest contract is what’s happening in the NFL. Always bigger and more for the new player to negotiate for.
July 29th, 2024 at 10:24 am
Shultz is probably a fan of a bucs competitor which also needs a LT. So, he’s trying to stir the pot in favor of his team.
July 29th, 2024 at 10:26 am
Obviously, none of us can actually know, but it sure sounds like they’re close to me. We know it’s probably going to make him the highest paid tackle for at least a few minutes. When you’re talking about that kind of money it’s all just quibling about how to dot the Is and cross the Ts anyway.
July 29th, 2024 at 11:10 am
DON’T BE A DEREK
This is exactly what happened with Baker, Evans, Godwin. Licht and Co. knows the market value and the contact number. They put out a great deal and they stick to it. The player’s agent pulls this last-ditch effort to leak a panic story to boost the number. It doesn’t work and the player signs. It’s the game within the game.
The only people who panic are fans like Derek. It’s nice to see most of you already know that.
July 29th, 2024 at 11:54 am
Maybe this guy isn’t an insider just a thought
July 29th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
No way this doesn’t get done. Wirfs is a generational player at his position.
July 29th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
This isn’t your daddy or granddaddy’s Bucs team. No way they let an offensive tackle who is on a Hall of Fame track leave the building, even if they have to overpay according to current market value. As Ted says, in 2 years it’ll be a bargain.