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Tristan Wirfs’ future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remains unsettled as training camp continues.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Buccaneers and Wirfs are “very far apart” on a potential contract extension.
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report
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
Schultz also reported that the two sides are “miles apart” in negotiations. Wirfs is currently set to play on his fifth-year option and could hit unrestricted free agency following the 2024 season.
This comes after Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that the two sides had made “progress” and that the potential contract could make Wirfs “the highest-paid tackle in the NFL.”
This is consistent with what Buccaneers GM Jason Licht has said as well, as Licht acknowledged that Wirfs “deserves” to be the highest-paid offensive lineman during an appearance on The Drive with TKras on 95.3.
“We’re working very diligently to see how we can do that, you know, so it can help both sides, as well, so it doesn’t hurt our future so we can still continue to win, but we can reward him,” Licht said.
Wirfs is currently set to make $18.6 million in 2024, which is a massive pay bump from the $3.7 million he made in 2023. Still, his current salary is quite a bit below Penei Sewell’s league-leading $28 million average annual value, which would be the bar the Buccaneers would need to clear to make Wirfs the highest-paid offensive lineman.
Wirfs has proven his worth on the gridiron for Tampa Bay. He has been named to three Pro Bowls, earned two All-Pro designations and helped the team capture a Super Bowl LV victory during his rookie season. He leads a line that will hope to help lift the Buccaneers back to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
