Will Pro Football Hall of Fame come knocking?

Unless 2025 was a harbinger, Joe believes Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs is entering the discussion as a future Pro Football Hall of Fame member.

Wirfs, unfortunately, this was Wirfs’ worst season. But for Wirfs, his “worst” season is a bar far higher than most mortals will ever reach.

On Saturday, Wirfs turns 27. So he should have a good five more years left with the Bucs, barring any more major injuries. Wirfs had knee surgery last offseason and it seems that threw Wirfs off. He never seemed fully comfortable all season.

(In the win over the Seahawks in Seattle, Wirfs was positively beastly. On a seven-yard scoring run by Rachaad White, running behind Wirfs, the stud from Iowa took out three separate Seattle defenders, one on each level of the defense, to escort White into the end zone. It. Was. Beautiful.)

So the following from a Bucs release last week didn’t shock Joe. And it shows how much of a home run draft pick Wirfs was by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.

Tristan Wirfs was selected as a starter for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, earning his fifth consecutive nod (2021-25). His five Pro Bowl selections are the third-most by an offensive player in team history, trailing only Mike Alstott and Mike Evans (six each).

And to think Wirfs is the second-oldest Bucs offensive lineman. Ben Bredeson turns 28 on Tuesday. The Bucs, when healthy, have one of the best offensive lines in the game and the oldest guy is 28 when the season begins.

Joe hopes a full offseason of rest and preparation gets Wirfs back to his normal, dominant self in 2026.

As for Wirfs not being athletic, did mouthy Cam Jordan win a state wrestling title in high school? Can Jordan stand in neck-deep water and jump out of a pool? Can Jordan do this?

48” seated static box jump w vest at 345lbs BW

Not on @dkm14 level yet, maybe someday 💀🤣 pic.twitter.com/HsDPrCYadR

— Tristan Wirfs (@TristanWirfs78) July 12, 2021