Tristan Wirfs To Left Tackle “Not Etched In Stone,” Says Bucs GM
May 2nd, 2023
All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs
Listeners to the recent Ira Kaufman Podcast heard Joe caution Bucs fans who swallowed whole reports this week that Bucs All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs is a lock to relocate to left tackle.
That’s why Joe didn’t describe that move as a certainty on these pages.
There’s a long way to go between now and opening day, and the Bucs are not 100 percent in on moving Wirfs to left tackle.
This is not a secret and never has been. General manager Jason Licht clarified the Bucs’ position on Wirfs today on WDAE radio.
He wasn’t commiting to a permanent left tackle move, despite the published reports.
“We certainly feel very comfortable with a person like Tristan, with his skillset and his athleticsm and size and intelligence and all that, that [his transition to left tackle] is gonna be pretty seamless, but that hasn’t completely been etched in stone yet.
“Now we’re still going to remain fluid here in the offseason. We’re going to see how it goes. And we just want to make sure that we’re putting the best five out there. Now he’s certainly going to be one of the best five, but I just, what combination? So we feel good about Luke [Goedeke]; we feel that he can do that at right tackle. But, you know, we still have time just to make sure — that we’re putting ’em in the right spots.”
Joe knows the Bucs have their eyes wide open when it comes to left tackle options on the free agent market and a close eye will be on Wirfs adjusting to the left side.
As it was explained to Joe, if Wirfs looks like an average starting left tackle or a player struggling to adjust, then there’s no point to leaving him in that role.
Ira Kaufman Dives Deep Into The Bucs’ Draft, Talks Left Tackle Realities, And More
May 2nd, 2023 at 8:24 pm
So Donnie is coming back?
May 2nd, 2023 at 8:32 pm
New left tackle (free agent/trade) is another $10 mil+ that they don’t have
May 2nd, 2023 at 8:38 pm
Of course. Leverett and Walton can play LT.
May 2nd, 2023 at 8:43 pm
Wirfs is going to left tackle. Period. Done. They can give whatever lip service they want.
Their best offensive line is
Wirfs at LT
Mauch/Leverett at LG
Jensen at C
Stinnie/Hainsey at RG
Goedeke/Feiler at RT
May 2nd, 2023 at 8:53 pm
Basically what they’re saying is the plan is to move him to Left Tackle, but if he struggles in training camp, they would rather move him back to the right and figure out another way forward at LT. I don’t think he will struggle though, so it’s really up to him.
May 2nd, 2023 at 9:12 pm
Let him take the lumps this year, it will pay off the following year for the new head Coach.
May 2nd, 2023 at 9:34 pm
Agree with gotbucs, except it’s possible that Feiler will be a starter.
May 2nd, 2023 at 10:00 pm
I actually think the Oline will be better this year and more depth. The question will be the play calling and QB play. Wirfs is a stud athlete and should have no problem adjusting to LT. If he does, there will be plenty of releases from other teams to find a LT.
May 2nd, 2023 at 10:47 pm
It’ll be donavon smith at RT again.
May 2nd, 2023 at 10:47 pm
It’ll be donavon smith at RT again.
May 2nd, 2023 at 11:10 pm
Of course not but moving him to LT all else being equal, he will be playing LT
May 3rd, 2023 at 12:09 am
Wirfs shouldn’t settle for anything less than LT. He will probably move on if they don’t let him move because he is going to want LT money
May 3rd, 2023 at 1:41 am
I’d still trust an adjusting Tristan Wirfs at LT before I’d trust any average college or veteran LT.
May 3rd, 2023 at 1:42 am
I’m not sure what I said to trigger moderation but it did 🙁
May 3rd, 2023 at 2:07 am
May not be set in stone but it looks like Jason wants it to be and that’s the plan going in.
May 3rd, 2023 at 6:01 am
I would much rather someone on the current roster light it up at LT and we can keep Wirfs where he is. But agree with Jason, and this is a no brainer best five!
May 3rd, 2023 at 6:38 am
I love Tristan Wirfs. He may be the only Buccaneer that I’ve never yelled at on the TV screen.
I hope he goes All Pro from the left side next.
May 3rd, 2023 at 9:54 am
The only reason Tristan would struggle at LT is if one of his feet fall off. You have to be quicker, that’s it, and he already has LT-level quickness. He also successfully started 3 games there in the Big Ten. Iowa is a running program hence why they put their best tackle at RT. The Joe kvetching about ONE OF THE TOP 2 TACKLES IN THE LEAGUE simply switching stances strikes me as comically risk-adverse, considering how important protecting the blind side is.
May 3rd, 2023 at 11:40 am
@gotbucs Nailed it. Except don’t forget we just signed veteran Fieler (so) to be in that mix 💪
May 3rd, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Besides Goedeke and Wirfs which other Bucs lineman can play tackle at either side? Can Feiler play tackle?