Report: Tristan Wirfs Is Down 30-Plus Pounds
August 25th, 2024
Tristan Wirfs smiling on Friday night.
So Tristan Wirfs played at around 360 pounds last year.
Don’t buy it? Wirfs also told the Washed Up Walkons podcast that when it’s really hot in training camp, his weight would drop to about 352 pounds.
But things have changed.
And they’ve changed drastically. While much has been made of manbeast defensive tackle Vita Vea’s significant offseason weight loss (the Bucs and Vea haven’t disclosed a number), Wirfs also has dropped a lot of weight.
That news comes from the Bucs’ general manager himself, Jason Licht.
Speaking on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast in early August about how impressed he is by the fitness levels of many Buccaneers, Licht said “Tristan is down back to his college weight.”
Licht didn’t offer a total pounds number for Wirfs, but prior to Wirfs being drafted in 2020, he weighed in at 320 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also was listed by the University of Iowa at 320 pounds.
So it seems Wirfs shed at least 30 pounds this offseason — after a great year at a position where weight is valuable.
That’s a huge number, one that makes wonder how the weight loss will affect Wirfs’ game. There could be plenty of positive and a little negative, too. Joe also is intrigued by Todd Bowles’ offseason comments saying he had a goal of getting bigger on the offensive line.
Regardless, Joe appreciates the discipline of the Bucs’ highest paid non-quarterback.
Wirfs is in fantastic shape and certainly didn’t have to ramp up his fitness to get his new contract that was in the works for months.
August 25th, 2024 at 10:25 pm
Wirfs is one of those we need not worry about. Sounds like he’s ready to do a lot of maul your first level dude and then feast down field.
LFG
August 25th, 2024 at 10:37 pm
I think Will Gholston has lost weight too, and he said that he has intentionally played at different weights in his career. Wirfs might play at different weights to see what’s best for him. Maybe with more outside zone runs, he wanted to lose some weight?
August 25th, 2024 at 10:38 pm
Not sure what the negative would be.. he’s a beast at any weight.
August 25th, 2024 at 11:05 pm
Billbuc. The negative would be that he gets bowled over by the momentum of larger men.
Trying to push a piano vs a keyboard. The strength of the piano’s build isn’t ehat keeps it still.
August 25th, 2024 at 11:08 pm
Smart move by Wirfs. He’s already a huge human being. Take some of the load off
August 25th, 2024 at 11:10 pm
..Wirfs is a technician and has size.
There’s plenty of guys that have size but not the technique.
I’m looking forward to seeing an even more spry Wirfs.
Go Bucs!
August 25th, 2024 at 11:13 pm
sounds like some line pulling to me
August 25th, 2024 at 11:30 pm
This line is much more mobile compared to last season, so Wirfs getting skinnier is fine.
August 25th, 2024 at 11:38 pm
The offense really gives me the warms. Line just needs to block average. We win the division.
Offense needs to lead.
August 25th, 2024 at 11:51 pm
Anything over 300 is great size for NFL left tackles. He should be able to handle drives deep in the 4th quarter much better.
August 26th, 2024 at 12:24 am
With his history of ankle sprains, a little less weight is probably a good idea.
August 26th, 2024 at 12:25 am
#Offense Rules
August 26th, 2024 at 12:43 am
Dave Pear Says:
Wirfs is one of those we need not worry about.
^^^^^
As DMX says, “Don’t start nothin’, it won’t be nothin.”
August 26th, 2024 at 1:22 am
He’s still pretty darn big. 320 should be just fine.
August 26th, 2024 at 2:35 am
Trust the Brady way….the GOAT left his mark!
We’re still a powerhouse! Put your money on the Bucs!
August 26th, 2024 at 3:07 am
Considering he’s had ankle issues, and we were just worried about an ankle injury this past week, sounds like a decent idea. Take some weight off those joints. I’m not worried about it, he should be perfectly fine at LT now, with a year under his belt. Technique > Strength/weight.
August 26th, 2024 at 3:33 am
Humm… I don’t know about that. Vita, you could watch him standing on the sideline all the time trying to catch his breath, and you knew he needed to lose weight. Never once did I look at Wirfs and think that.
I hope it’s a non-issue, and if he’s around 330 that’s probably just fine. If he’s less than that, I’d start to get a bit concerned. But lets see him in action before worrying too much about it.
August 26th, 2024 at 5:22 am
Wow!
Licht is usually an honest dude but 30 lbs is a lot. Wirfs has been dominant at his massive size and weight. I wonder if he wants to take a bit of stress off the ankle joints. Or maybe after last season he feels he needs to be a bit lighter on his feet at LT.
Go Bucs!
August 26th, 2024 at 5:24 am
if you told me wirfs was 360-370 last season, i’d say he carried it well…
i’ve always looked at tristan and thought “dam the dude could add another 20-30 without getting flabby”…
same for goedeke…another guy who could throw on 20 pounds of beef…these dudes are not fat…
very often you’ll see linemen who look belly-rific and flabby…not these guys…
beef up…get big…get ugly…get frothy…spit glass, talk sh!t…do it
August 26th, 2024 at 5:27 am
big wirfsy’s “natural thickness” is at another level…
when he retires, he’s not gonna surprise people and look like ali marpet a year later
August 26th, 2024 at 5:39 am
Wow, Wirf is still a big guy! I had to laugh when Ronde and Chris were talking about his weight loss during the Miami preseason game. They were thinking the same as all of us were, he is still huge! Tristan is going to have a great season.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:06 am
Wirfs went from big ol’ boy to full on man. He reminds me of Jonathan Ogden. I can see Wirfs staying with the same team and eventually entering the HOF just as Ogden did.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:10 am
keeping the weight off his knees will extend his playing career. Smart player for sure and getting some great advice.
August 26th, 2024 at 9:43 am
BA is largely responsible for the setup of our conditioning and our sports science staff. Brady serves as the example of how to go about a personal regimen for an NFL athlete.
August 26th, 2024 at 9:52 am
Size isn’t everything. Wirfs is one of the rare players who has elite technique and uses it perfectly. Him dropping weight will only benefit him. I can only assume he felt too heavy and not athletic enough for LT compared to RT. Either way I’m excited for him.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:30 am
Evan N : “ Size isn’t everything. ”
I’ve been saying that for years. 🙂
August 26th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Every year we talked about Warren Sapp, his weight up one year, down the next. Sapp and Wirfs elite athletes, and understand their roles no matter what.
1st ballot HOF hoping for Wirfs too.