When Tristan Wirfs was told he might be moving from right to left tackle by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason he says he got to work immediately on learning how to change sides.
That news made every outsider with concerns about the Buccaneers’ decision feel a bit better, and it really emphasized just how much of a team player Wirfs has been since arriving in the NFL.
But if we’re being honest, there’s a very individualistic reason Wirfs had for enthusiastically jumping into the move - well, $5 million reasons, actually.
“The right tackle and left tackle position markets aren’t super far apart as they used to be,” says Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger as he identifies Wrifs’ eventual extension as the most important offensive tackle contract coming up. “Houston Texans tackle Laremy Tunsil leads the way at $25 million per year with Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson atop the right tackle market, earning just more than $20 million annually. If Wrifs transfers over his 0.9% pressure rate…Tampa will basically send him a blank check.”
Of course, this is great news on one hand. After all, what NFL team wouldn’t want to feel justified in paying their left tackle the richest contract in the position’s history?
But Tampa Bay doesn’t have a lot of financial freedom these days thanks to the loans it took out to win and try to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
According to Over The Cap, the Bucs are projected to have around $28 million in 2024 salary cap space before re-signing Wirfs who is scheduled to make just north of $18 million on his fifth-year option next season.
With contracts for receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr, and linebacker Lavonte David - among others - expiring with void years left, the Buccaneers will be paying for players they may no longer have or will have to strike new deals to consume or defer those dead monies.
Regardless, in some worlds, it's a good problem to have, as Tampa Bay looks to shift its All-Pro caliber right tackle to the left.
And it’s a great problem for Wirfs to have, as he waits to find out just how much of a market-setting contract he’ll get in the near future.
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