ESPN insider reveals why Tristan Wirfs is skipping Buccaneers OTAs and it makes all the sense in the world

Wirfs was one of four key Bucs that missed the start of OTAs on Tuesday. And while that's not a big deal because of the workouts' voluntary status, there is a reason behind his absence: Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Wirfs doesn't want to risk injury as he awaits the extension and the two sides haven't made any progress.

Wirfs is undoubtedly making the right call

Again, it's voluntary OTAs and to be fair, defensive linemen and offensive linemen aren't missing much when absent. They get their best work in when the pads come on and that obviously won't happen until about a week into training camp.

It makes even more sense on the business side of things. Wirfs is already on pace to become one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the game - if not the highest paid OL. If he and the Bucs can't come to an agreement on a new deal before or during the season and he has another Pro Bowl/All-Pro-level season at left tackle, then you can bet your mortgage he'll be the highest paid OL in 2025. There's a good chance he could make as much as $30 million per year after another elite season, as well.

Wirfs could easily get nicked up over the next few weeks and it turn into some kind of nagging injury that affects his play throughout the season. We've seen this happen, all the time. Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson suffered an injury before training camp and it held him back until Week 4. That's just one of many, many examples.

A nagging injury -or even worse, a serious injury- that affects his play would then affect his market, to whatever extent. Why would Wirfs want to risk anything like that, especially during a time period when he's not absolutely needed?

Right now, it's nothing serious. We'll check back in during mandatory minicamp and training camp. But even then, something tells me Wirfs is going to show up and he'll also be there, without a doubt, come Week 1 against the Washington Commanders.