The Return Of Justin Skule Is Very Good News For Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke
April 7th, 2026
Bucs T Justin Skule.
One reason the Bucs’ offensive line last year crumbled, Joe is convinced, was that former backup tackle Justin Skule bolted to Minnesota, where he was a starter (for nine games) for the Vikings.
Joe cannot begrudge a guy for wanting to start. It means more cash, clearly.
But in the process of losing Skule, not only did the Bucs lose a quality backup (he got a lot better after being thrown to the wolves in Detroit against Aidan Hutchinson), the Bucs may have also lost a quality, unpaid offensive line coach.
Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs went on offensive line enthusiast Brandon Thorn’s podcast last year. There, Wirfs explained he turned the corner in 2023, his first year at left tackle, thanks largely to Skule who was coaching Wirfs up on the sidelines.
Wirfs specifically noted how Skule talked Wirfs into using a left-handed punch to initiate contact to keep defensive ends away from Baker Mayfield. Wirfs said that advice was perfect and he had no problems playing left tackle after he got used to throwing a left-handed punch.
And Joe remembered talking to Wirfs about how Skule helped him and Luke Goedeke. Basically, Wirfs said, depending which way the Bucs were facing, Skule would closely monitor the swordfighting of the tackle who was closest to the Bucs’ sideline and the opponent’s defensive end/outside linebacker. When Wirfs or Goedeke would return to the bench, Skule would give eiither Bucs’ tackle a breakdown of what he saw and sometimeds offer tips what Wirfs/Goedeke could use to counter.
Wirfs told Joe of how Skule was giving Wirfs breakdowns of how many steps he could take back to avoid Mayfield, who may or may not be scrambling or moving in the pocket on a particular play.
Knowing a steps count allowed Wirfs to know when to plant and lock up a defender. As Wirfs joked to Joe, Skule was his eyes in the back of his head.
This may sound overly simplistic, but in football, the smallest of edges often add up to big things.
Wirfs told Joe that no one ordered Skule to do this; Skule was just being a good teammate. And both Wirfs and Goedeke very much appreciated the help
So when Joe heard the Bucs re-signed Skule, Joe liked it because not only did the Bucs get a good depth piece, but they also added a free assistant line coach.
April 7th, 2026 at 3:58 am
Solid add. Just need that 1st round G to move Bredeson to G/C backup & the OL is set lol. Joking about Rnd1, but def see somes Guards in the top 3-4 rounds that would help solidify the OL for a few years & provide insurance for a Mauch departure next season.
April 7th, 2026 at 5:51 am
If memory serves he was also just a better player for us than our backup tackle last year.
April 7th, 2026 at 6:12 am
Good. Need more offense.
April 7th, 2026 at 6:18 am
Mauch will be a pro bowler next season. Think we should keep him.
April 7th, 2026 at 6:42 am
Yes, but can he Rush the Passer? LOL
April 7th, 2026 at 7:27 am
Brittle boy Luke got his crutch back
April 7th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Solid pick up, the Bucs should be better as.long as we don’t become a MASH unit again this season. I hope they can figure out why they were so soft & injury prone last season ,could have something to do with the walk thrus instead of hard work. HiRE A DEFENSIVE CORDINATOR
April 7th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Solid pick up, the Bucs should be better as.long as we don’t become a MASH unit again this season. I hope they can figure out why they were so soft & injury prone last season ,could have something to do with the walk thrus instead of hard work. HiRE A DEFENSIVE CORDINATOR
April 7th, 2026 at 8:13 am
For all of those hoping the Bucs draft an O lineman later this month…they just did. His name is Justin Skule. I can’t wait for him to coach up man beast Ben Chukwuma.
April 7th, 2026 at 8:33 am
when it came down to the OL, the problem wasnt the tackles or even the depth at tackle…ben chuk is solid!!!!
the problem was/is guard!!!!
flip bredenson to Center, Barton to LG and draft OG-Kadyn Proctor or OG Olaivavega Ioane with our first pick…
Mauch can avoid being rushed back like CG14…
Mauch still has to go thru live contact to see how that knee response…
GO BUCS!!!!
April 7th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Skule got manhandled by Hutchison in that first game. After that he was much, much better. Very good addition. Obviously for depth and low key leadership on the o-line. Funny how some posters can’t get past one bad game. Literally. See what I did there?
April 7th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Need to draft one more OL. And the rest of the draft should be D.
April 7th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Yes nice to have him back. Yes we need the depth. the O line backups last year were scary. They may have been worse than the LBs or the secondary
April 7th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Skule plays much better on the left side. Move Ben Chukwuma to the right side. Considering that Chukwuma was an UDFA, he showed some potential last year.
April 7th, 2026 at 10:51 am
LOL I love it!
I mentioned Skule just last week. Thought we should sign him if he was on the market. I thought that losing him to the Vikes was a big loss. Turned out to be much bigger than i thought. Welcome back Justin!
Go Bucs!
April 7th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Trade Goedeke for a 2nd. Chucky was more than capable and on a contract thats 1/20th of the cost. That Goedeke contract was absurd, considering the position he plays. Use that money and pick to get some legit talent on defense
April 9th, 2026 at 6:41 am
I might be able to get some intel on Cody’s recovery. I’m a nobody, but I’m nobody living in Fargo, and have an acquaintance only one step removed from the Mauch family. It’s not a casual acquaintance, more professional, so it could be a few weeks until the opportunity arises.