Tristan Wirfs can get back to practicing fully.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the star left tackle agreed to a five-year extension worth $140 million, with more than $88 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per sources informed of the situation. The team has since announced the news.
“From the day he walked in the door, Tristan has brought a work ethic and a commitment to greatness that has elevated everybody in the building,” said Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht on Thursday. “He has established himself as a premier offensive lineman in the league and has become an unquestioned leader inside the locker room. Tristan is pivotal to our success as a team, and we are ecstatic to retain a player and a person of his caliber. We are proud to have him as a cornerstone of our team and we look forward to achieving more great things together.”
The former No. 13 overall pick was slated to enter the final year of his rookie contract. Wirfs had been practicing on a limited basis during training camp -- keeping him out of padded practices -- as sides worked on the deal.
Wirfs spent his first three seasons in Tampa at right tackle, earning a first-team All-Pro nod and two Pro Bowls. Last year, the first-rounder seamlessly moved to left tackle, protecting Baker Mayfield’s blind side. Not always an easy transition, Wirfs made it look like child’s play, earning another Pro Bowl.
The contract is the latest that Licht has handed out this season to keep his core intact for years to come. Tampa has now re-signed or extended Wirfs, Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr.. In one offseason, Tampa has gone from having one $20-plus-million-per-year player (Chris Godwin) to having five.