Tristan Wirfs May Have Revealed Why He Has Struggled Past Two Weeks
October 31st, 2025
Not fully back from surgery?
Look, Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs may be Joe’s favorite player. The guy is unreal and so long as he hops back on the wagon in the second half of the season, Joe doesn’t think it’s nuts to suggest he may be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.
But the past two weeks, ouch.
At Detroit, Wirfs didn’t have his best game. Even Troy Aikman, who called the game for BSPN, admitted, “You don’t see Tristan Wirfs get turned around like that very often.”
Last week in New Orleans, Joe thought there was an imposter wearing No. 78. It was easily Wirfs’ worst game as a pro.
What’s going on?
Well, Wirfs may have given folks a hint.
Joe admits to spitballing here but it was interesting that Wirfs, while appearing on “Bussin’ With the Boys” co-hosted by former NFL linebacker Will Compton and former NFL tackle Taylor Lewan, said he’s not as strong as he used to be.
Compton and Lewan were asking Wirfs about pumping weights. Lewan asked Wirfs if he is still the monster he was when he played at Iowa when he tossed around 450 pounds with little sweat.
To quote Toby Keith, Wirfs admitted he’s not as good as he once was.
“It’s not like I used to,” Wirfs confessed. “Had surgery this offseason.”
Did Wirfs lose strength in his legs and arms from his knee surgery in July? He sort of rushed himself back to the playing field. As soon as he was ready, he played.
Wirfs said he wasn’t pumping weights like he did because of his surgery. He said he was using belts instead of weights to get back in shape.
Joe wonders if this is why Wirfs hasn’t been his normal dominant self the past two games?
But this doesn’t explain how Wirfs was tossing dudes around in Seattle like they were high school kids.
October 31st, 2025 at 9:03 am
Wirfs is definitely on a HOF trajectory. I bet he’ll be better after the break.
October 31st, 2025 at 9:09 am
Worst game of his NFL career last week, but I am not worried about him. He’s the best OT in football.
October 31st, 2025 at 9:12 am
Hope he regains his form real soon!
October 31st, 2025 at 9:14 am
I dont think he’s fully comfortable just yet…still looks to be playing a little timid…he’ll get better as the season goes on…
my concern is Barton…
i dont see any burst or power in his lower body like last year and he seems to be playing high at times…maybe playing LT messed up his technique and mechanics….
6-2!!!
GO BUCS!!!
October 31st, 2025 at 9:17 am
It is a well known fact that once injured the surrounding muscles or affected muscles begin to deteroriate or weaken. After surgery to the injury the process of rebuilding the muscles can begin. In Wirf’s case it sounds like that is the case. It may take him a little while to get back his strength. Yes think we all have been wondering what has happened to him as of late. Due to his strengh prior, it makes total sense he is still recovering from the injury strength wise. Yes it was surprizing, if not shocking, seeing him get completely turned around by Hutchinson at Detroit.
October 31st, 2025 at 9:25 am
Offensive line is so dependent on who you are playing next to. If the guy next to you is a weak link, it adds more pressure to you. Having the RT and RG be CFL level guys and the Center as a 2nd year guy who looks to be over drafted. It throws everything off a bit.
October 31st, 2025 at 9:28 am
TW78 you best get back in the weight room quick!
October 31st, 2025 at 9:39 am
He’s been in the NFL for awhile. Injuries add up with age. Getting paid on what may be his last contract tends to leave someone less incentive to keep up what got you there. His best years are behind him. It’s just the nature of the sport.
October 31st, 2025 at 9:42 am
May not fully regain his former self until next season. That doesn’t mean he can’t bounce back at least a little better starting after the bye. Smart money says he will. In Tristan we trust.
Barton was mentioned as not showing the same as last season. Agreed. Which is another reason that the tackle position should have been addressed beyond Heck. They knew Heck wasn’t the guy on the left side before the season even started and instead of addressing that issue they decided to field a Chinese fire drill. Our resident OL savant JL was caught flat footed on that one.
October 31st, 2025 at 9:49 am
Coming back from injury
Barton had to play tackle then move back to center
The whole year been though
They’ll be fine bye came at right time
October 31st, 2025 at 10:00 am
Yeah the knee didn’t help him. And the player is allowed a bad game even against so called “Inferior” opponents. He’ll be fine.
October 31st, 2025 at 10:02 am
Going live fire without any training camp put a strain on his body – same for Godwin imo. Baring any setbacks, he will be improved post the bye. Fingers crossed!
Enjoy the deserved rest gentleman!
October 31st, 2025 at 10:15 am
Young was beating him to the outside, saw it a few times
October 31st, 2025 at 10:16 am
Offense? Offense? Who needs offense? We’re going back to Old School BUC BALL. Defense, a great kicker and a few points here and there. The offense will get better and start firing in time for the playoffs. GO BUCS 6-2 Baby!
October 31st, 2025 at 10:57 am
I actually thought that maybe he came back too soon, and should have rested up longer. Ha, I am usually the over-thinker but didn’t this time. He will shake it out. Such a good guy and looked to be having a great time at the Lightning game. Maybe that is just what he needed, a night out with Baker!
October 31st, 2025 at 11:03 am
Chase Young was kickin’ Tristans’ ssa let’s not scape it out on the injury, he was losing reps because the guy across from him was playing at max tilt and he wasn’t. How’d it show? The false starts doing his best Donovan Smith impersonation, maybe for Halloween?
October 31st, 2025 at 11:17 am
WBL is M-A-D!
I hope the Taints offer Young a huge extension based off Sunday’s tape. Probably a one off…and hopefully a motivator for Wirfs.
October 31st, 2025 at 11:18 am
Well let’s just hope he’s as good once as he ever was when it matters!
October 31st, 2025 at 11:22 am
He’s clearly not in top form but he’ll get back to that level soon enough. STUD
October 31st, 2025 at 11:28 am
Not worried even the best have bad games!!!! December is when real football starts, he should be raring to go!! Barton and Bradenson should switch!! Go Bucs
October 31st, 2025 at 11:32 am
Winny Testaverde, not mad but tape don’t lie. Bad day at the office, doesn’t mean burn the building down, but it’s alright to realize Tristan was getting put in a blender by Chase Young.
I pay attention to things like that, it’s alright if you can’t or don’t
October 31st, 2025 at 11:50 am
He’s 26 years old… to say his best years are behind him is crazy. Trent Williams is 37 and still the best in the league or top 3
October 31st, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Bucs traning and medical with another gem!
Next we will learn a week from now that Bucky and Goedeke will have season ending surgeries. It’s great how coach keeps an eye on all his players, to make sure they’re on track with their regression plans.
October 31st, 2025 at 12:09 pm
I don’t think it’s nuts, at all. I think as long as he stays healthy, then he’s first-ballot and one of the greatest players to ever play the position.
October 31st, 2025 at 12:21 pm
813bucboi … ‘my concern is Barton … maybe playing LT messed up his technique and mechanics.’
I think that’s exactly what’s been going on with Barton. Last couple of games in particular, looks like he’s been struggling. Of course, Wirfs has been struggling a bit too, but for different reasons I’m sure.
MAYBE the best approach for the rest of this year would be to put Bredeson at Center, Barton at LT, Wirfs at RT, then pick our 2 best Guards to fill in the rest. We’ve got Feeney, Jordan, Klein as Guards right now. But still, I’d be all in favor of trading for a Guard if that’s what it takes to shore up this OLine.
October 31st, 2025 at 12:48 pm
@DR – that’s not a bad idea, though it sounds like the switch from R to L was a big transition for Wirfs, so I’m not sure if flipping him back again would also mean several weeks of re-adjusting… and perhaps negating any possible edge there could have been from doing that.
October 31st, 2025 at 1:43 pm
Wirfs is a great player but “the best OT” in football? Not as long as Peneai Sewell is still playing. Oh, while we are at it, the best OG in football, Quentin Nelson of the Colts.
October 31st, 2025 at 2:34 pm
DR
not a bad idea…
imo, JL has been doing too well with our picks…i wouldnt trade any picks but i would sign a player from a PS…
Kadeem Telford would be great…
6-2!!!
GO BUCS!!!
October 31st, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Hopefully, two weeks off will help Wirfs. And Godwin. And Irving. And Goedeke. And Evans. And McMillan.
And all of the players who have nagging injuries that don’t prevent them from playing but do prevent them from being at their best. Baker. White. Dean. Etc.
October 31st, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Ah yes…Warren Brooks Lynch but mostly Capece…
You’re seldom right…but never in doubt.
Keyboard karate black belt…
I do notice those traits…but won’t buy into the tuffness.
October 31st, 2025 at 4:20 pm
The big fella will be ok.
October 31st, 2025 at 5:13 pm
Playing and healthy are two different things. See Godwin.
October 31st, 2025 at 6:22 pm
The colts have been building that line quietly. They are FN awesome. Colts are ready to go 🤙🏾👊🏾
October 31st, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Be ready for the Pat, pats are Denver last year don’t sleep
October 31st, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Good job not pushing that knee too much. After bye week comes real football
October 31st, 2025 at 10:39 pm
Yep D Green Building the Lines A easy way to go/draft