'Everything is so easy to him' — NFL coaches and execs give Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs the respect that he deserves ahead of 2025 season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got hit with some rough news this past week with LT Tristan Wirfs likely to miss the first 2-4 games this season with a knee issue that was reaggravated this offseason.  That loss is particularly highlighted by a recent ranking that gave the team's star tackle the highest of praises. 

ESPN put out their list of top 10 tackles in the league based on input and voting from executives, coaches, and scouts from around the NFL, and Wirfs topped the list. 

This is what ESPN had to say about Wirfs: 

Wirfs earning first-team All-Pro honors at left and right tackle is an incredible feat. No other player in NFL history has done that. Perhaps even more impressive: Wirfs did so in his second NFL season of playing each position (2021, 2024), showing a Doogie Howser level of quick learning.

ESPN Research attributed two sacks to Wirfs, an impressive number for a left tackle. His 95.9 pass block win rate led all tackles.

"He doesn't have the flashy plays that Sewell has, but everything is so easy to him," an NFC executive said. "He can handle whatever you want out there and won't look particularly stressed doing it. Rare combination of size and athleticism."

Wirfs' work on the left side helped the Bucs' offense rank third in total offense (399.5 yards per game). Wirfs is the game's highest-paid tackle at $28.125 million per year.

Wirfs has been one of the game's most consistent and elite players on the edge, and his versatility - being the only player in NFL history to earn First Team All-Pro honors at both left and right tackle - is something that hasn't earned enough acclaim from those around the league.  It's a truly remarkable achievement, particularly with how quickly he did it as ESPN noted. 

But it's hard to ignore a player who posted a league-best 1.3% pressure rate allowed in 2024, which helped Wirfs garner a First Team All-Pro nod last year.  And that elite protection, or for the time being a lack thereof, is something the Bucs are going to figure out how to deal without while Wirfs works to get ready to return to the field this fall.