Homework Helps Tristan Wirfs Stay Elite
April 18th, 2025
Notetaker.
Tristan Wirfs is arguably the best tackle in the game. Last season, he became the very first player in NFL history to be named All-Pro at both right and left tackle in separate seasons.
Last year was Wirfs’ second year at left tackle. One would think Wirfs has it all figured out, right? Well, don’t tell him that.
While appearing via Zoom for an hour this week with NFL offensive line analyst Brandon Thorn on Thorn’s Substack site “Trench Warfare,” Wirfs told Thorn that he learned a trick from his first offensive line coach with the Bucs, Joe Gilbert. Wirfs said he uses it every day he practices to keep himself sharp.
Gilbert got Wirfs into a habit during his 2020 rookie training camp of each morning writing down five things he needs to work on that day.
“I still, every day, write those [five things] down,” Wirfs said.
Wirfs does cheat on his to-do list, he said, because it’s really only four things. The fifth is the same goal every day, Wirfs said, to keep your feet moving.
This daily habit really helped Wirfs when he flipped from the right to the left side. Wirfs said that’s because he had to relearn everything from being right-hand dominant to left-hand dominant on the field.
If that is what makes Wirfs the best offensive lineman the Bucs have ever had, Joe hopes that simple practice has rubbed off on Wirfs’ teammates on the offensive line.
In a similar way that a backup QB can add value to the starter the swing OT can do the same in the OL room.
Tristan Wirfs breaking down the role of Bucs swing tackle Justin Skule makes it easy to see how important he is, especially for the tackles. This was awesome. pic.twitter.com/dVAucB55Q6
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) April 16, 2025
April 18th, 2025 at 5:55 am
Well done interview/film room with Tristan. Such a genuine and talented guy!
April 18th, 2025 at 6:36 am
” Joe hopes that simple practice has rubbed off on Wirfs’ teammates on the offensive line. ” Maybe a little friendly competition on the OL can move these guys from very good to Elite! LFG!
April 18th, 2025 at 6:56 am
Future HOFer
April 18th, 2025 at 7:02 am
What a great pick. And what about all those OL who went before him in the draft?
April 18th, 2025 at 7:22 am
Jason only wants dudes who love football? Could you tell? I have heard Wirfs talk ball before but this time he was really feeling it! The reason Jason went after him?
I think our line will miss Hainsey and Skule. If not for those dudes play, then for their intangibles. Like Skule coaching up an All Pro…Wow! Hainsey’s toughness to step in twice at center under some pretty tough circumstances.
Go Bucs!
April 18th, 2025 at 7:27 am
I know that the long time fans of this team appreciate Tristan Wirfs and the value he brings to this team. As a short term fan I think that many fans take for granted the backbone of this team which is LaVonte, Mike and Tristan. There are not 3 players, all drafted by the same team, that can match that trio for excellence. In the entire NFL these three humble, patient, talented and passionate players, in my opinion, are the most valuable 3 players on any team in the league. Long term and short term fans alike haven’t seen anything like it before and won’t see anything like it again. Ever. Let’s make sure and enjoy while we can.
April 18th, 2025 at 8:04 am
Long term fan here … been watching regularly since Testaverde.
Kenton says it well
Add to that we also have Godwin, Winfield Jr, Vea… our best are elite on the field, in the locker rooms and out in the community.
As a Bucs lifer, you newer fans are super spoiled! Quit griping!!
LOL
Whenever I hear someone rags on the Glazers, all I can say is “Hugh Culverhouse”. Mike drop.
April 18th, 2025 at 8:15 am
Love Wirfs. Such a down to earth guy with immense talents. Someone you will always root for.
April 18th, 2025 at 8:42 am
Joe, you may have already posted about this. If so, I missed it. There’s a great interview on Chris Long’s Green Light Youtube podcast, where Tristan talks about playing OT and how he prepares. A lot of great stuff. Makes you love Tristan even more for his humility.
April 18th, 2025 at 9:09 am
What I love about this (among SO many things) is that Words, barely 26, is the oldest dude on our line
April 18th, 2025 at 9:43 am
The thing I remember about his draft class is that there were 5 highly touted offensive lineman that year coming out and we were like the 6th team in line to get one and everyone was trying to figure out how or if Tampa Bay could get 1 of them. Wirf was listed as the best in the group and expected to be the first one to go by all the draft pundits. I couldn’t believe he lasted and when Licht traded up a spot to get him I didn’t understand until he revealed another team might be coming up to get him. Licht has definitely turned into a shrewd drafter, which is why a lot of people trust him to have a good draft. Have a buddy who is a Giants fan and still has issues with this as they picked Andrews, who everyone thought we would be able to maybe get at our spot as first OL off the board.
April 18th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
The first five offensive tackles taken in 2020 in draft order were as follows.
Andrew Thomas (4)
Jedrick Wills Jr. (10)
Mekhi Becton (11)
Tristan Wirfs (13)
Cesar Ruiz (24)
It just goes to show you. It is very hard to assess how a college player will do in the NFL. The best scouts get it wrong often.
April 18th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
@ KABucs : Who is Mike Drop?