Tristan Wirfs and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht appear in agreement on his value.
The fifth-year pro is seeking a new deal heading into a contract year, and although the sides haven't found a number, Licht recently shared he believes the team's cornerstone left tackle should earn an income at the top of his field.
"I was on with WDAE talking about Antoine (Winfield) at one point, saying, 'Hey the guy deserves to be highest-paid [safety],' and I'd say the same thing for Tristan," Licht said on 95.3's The Drive with TKras. "So, we're working very diligently to see how we can do that, you know, so it can help both sides, as well, so it doesn't hurt our future so we can still continue to win, but we can reward him."
Wirfs currently stands to make $18.6 million on his fifth-year rookie option. The Vikings' Christian Darrisaw reset the market for left tackles on Tuesday by signing a deal that gives him $26 million per year, now the mark to aim for.
As a one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler in three straight seasons, Wirfs has a case to match or top that. He finished last year in the PFF's top-five highest-graded linemen with a 84.3 pass-blocking grade, just one point behind Darrisaw.
As part of the contract dance, Wirfs sat out voluntary offseason work.
It might be what he's done since that has gained him the most traction -- or at the very least, respect -- from the front office. The 25-year-old showed for mandatory minicamp, and he's taken a different approach to training camp than several of his peers seeking new deals.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love held in this week until he signed his extension, and Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa's participation fluctuated until he scored his. 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is still holding in, while Wirfs' fellow left tackle, Trent Williams has been holding out.
As for Wirfs, he's practiced throughout, contract or not. That hasn't gone unnoticed.
"He's such an unselfish guy, as well, out here practicing like he has been," Licht said. "It's not surprising given the unselfishness that he has wanting to not let his teammates down or his quarterback down. We're continuing to work hard on both ends. We have really good communication.
"I can promise you this, Tristan's gonna be playing for the Bucs this year. He's gonna be playing for the Bucs in the distant future. I think we're gonna get something done at some point, I just can't tell you when. … I'm optimistic that hopefully it will be soon."
