Tristan Wirfs Still Seems Slightly Surprised He Was Named All-Pro
February 9th, 2025
All-Pro surprised Tristan Wirfs.
If there is one thing that goes down in NFL history for the Bucs in 2024, Joe can assure you that the team’s legacy will not be the signing of Randy Gregory.
No, it will be how Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs became the very first NFL player to be named “All-Pro” at both right tackle and left tackle. Different seasons, of course.
Not only did Wirfs still seem surprised last week that he was named All-Pro, how he learned of winning the award also seemed to surprise him. Pleasantly so.
Wirfs was on radio row at the Super Bowl in New Orleans and did a spot with Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. There, Meirov asked Wirfs about the All-Pro honor and how he learned of it.
For background, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press had a sitdown with Wirfs at One Buc Palace. There, Maddi had a secret for Wirfs.
“Jordan Mailata had a really great year,” Wirfs told Meirov. “It’s going to be a toss-up.”
Then, Maaddi unveiled his elaborate news.
“They brought me in there to talk about the run game,” Wirfs recounted. “I was wearing Crocs. They asked me if I wanted to change and I said, ‘Naw, I’m fine.’
“So they brought them out and it was pretty special. That was really cool.”
Who was “them?” Wirfs’ girlfriend Meredith Sutton and Wirfs’ baby son Julius walked in unannounced into the interview and Wirfs’ son had a shirt that read, “My Daddy is an All-Pro.”
“This Joe” will be the very first person to raise a hand thinking the Bucs were playing with fire moving Wirfs from right tackle to left. There’s a reason no one has been an All-Pro at both left and right tackle.
Wirfs was absolutely dominant at right tackle. So Joe didn’t want to tinker with something that wasn’t remotely broken. Leave well enough alone, but the Bucs moved him anyway. And it has turned out to be one of their best moves.
Joe could argue that aside from Mike Evans, Wirfs is the best player on the Bucs’ roster. And that’s no slap at guys like Vita Vea or Calijah Kancey or Antoine Winfield or Lavonte David. Wirfs is just that damn good.
Ira Kaufman Talks Tristan Wirfs Revelations, Josh Grizzard Status, Inside The 2025 Hall Of Fame Selection, Super Bowl Picks, And More
February 9th, 2025 at 12:14 am
I was pretty sure Wirfs wanted the LT spot and the rewards that go with it. Glad it worked out. He’s already the Bucs greatest lineman in history and is on a HOF path. Total beast and am thrilled to hear that he and Baker are buds. How can anyone not be excited about this team?
February 9th, 2025 at 12:27 am
He had to go to a therapist he wanted it so bad. smh
(That’s not a joke. He was so freaked out by the move he went to therapy.)
Happy as hell he was able to overcome.
February 9th, 2025 at 12:29 am
“aside from Mike Evans, Wirfs is the best player on the Bucs’ roster.”
Yea – and this was obvious 2 years ago – which is why the move to LT was almost mandatory….
Your best OL player should be protecting the QB’s blind side. Duh…
That and the fact that you can’t pay a RT $28M per year – leaves no money for even a decent much less good LT….
February 9th, 2025 at 12:55 am
Does J0e have an issue with a guy doing therapy?
February 9th, 2025 at 2:00 am
Never wrote that. Just pointing out that Wirfs wasn’t exactly elated at moving to left tackle, which “OHBucFan” suggested he was “pretty sure” Wirfs was. In fact, he was not. But he’s a good soldier.
Joe hasn’t heard one word from Detroit that the Lions are hellbent on moving Penei Sewell to left tackle. 🤷♂️
February 9th, 2025 at 6:08 am
@Joe
An honest question. Left tackles get paid more in the NFL, 7 of the top 10 highest paid tackles play the left side. Why?
Is it because of the theory held in the NFL that Pickgrin posted. LT’s typically protect a QB’s blind side since most are right handed.
I can duh along with you about this attitude since today’s right handed QB might be tomorrow’s left handed QB who replaced him. But Pickgrin is correct it is the prevailing theory in the NFL.
A prime example of course would be the Falcons OL set up for Cousins but ending up protecting one of the two starting lefties in the league Michael Penix.
And if this blind side theory is true do the Dolphins have a better RT than LT?
Currently only two starting lefties and they are always a distinct minority so I get the theory and NFL types obviously know more than me. I’ve always felt the QB needs protection from all sides and the interior.
A team could have two great tackles but if their guards and centers suck what good is all that protection on the outside. To me football is the ultimate team sport and perhaps nowhere any more than on the OL. Just MHO.
February 9th, 2025 at 6:39 am
Very interesting. I actually thought it was one of the Joes (maybe Ira) that mentioned what finally swayed Wirfs to switch was the financial implications of being a starting LT instead of RT. I could be misremembering which is why I stated “pretty sure.” I always took the psychological side as his burning desire to not mess anything up which is one of the reasons he’s great.
Sewell is a phenom as well. The Lions are sure lucky that they have Decker at LT. Might be the only bookends that I’d consider better than Tristan and Luke. But the Bucs are younger on average and that bodes well for the future…if Luke’s noodle can be protected.
February 9th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Man beast! Wirfs is the best, and he totally fits in with the new Bucs mold. Athletic and fierce on the field, kind and humble off the field. What a great team!
February 9th, 2025 at 7:48 am
I was really thrilled during the draft when all of the other “can’t miss tackles” went before Wirfs. I recall a play from last year (forget who the opponent was), Wirfs was leading Bucky into the second level of the defense at a full gallop. The opposing linebacker did a “dirt dive” at Wirf’s feet. Dude wanted no part of that beast!
February 9th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
“Joe could argue that aside from Mike Evans, Wirfs is the best player on the Bucs’ roster.”
Wirfs is the best player on the Bucs roster. At the end of his career, he’ll be the best Buc of all time. We’re just getting used to how great his is.
February 9th, 2025 at 12:22 pm
We’ve got some superb humans in this roster. Thank you Jason, and Todd.