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Tristan Wirfs

Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs Return To Practice

September 11th, 2025 at 11:57am CST by Adam La Rose

During cutdowns at the end of training camp, the Buccaneers elected to keep both Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs on the active roster. That decision was made despite the fact both are expected to miss multiple games in September.

Moving either or both players to the reserve/PUP list would have ensured a four-game absence but also prevented them from being able to practice. Instead, remaining on the 53-man roster has opened the door for Godwin and Wirfs to take part in practice in September while rehabbing their respective injuries. That process has taken a notable step forward beginning today.

Godwin is taking part in Thursday’s practice on a limited basis, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That has since been confirmed by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, who adds Wirfs is participating as well. In both cases, practicing twice this week is the team’s goal as the next stage of a lengthy recovery path.

A fractured ankle ended Godwin’s 2024 season and ensured he would miss time early this year. Week 2 had been targeted as the point at which he would return to practice, though, so today’s update comes as little surprise. The 29-year-old turned down more lucrative offers to remain in Tampa Bay this offseason. Godwin will take on a key role in the passing game upon return, joining a group led by Mike Evans and first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka.

Wirfs is believed to have a strong chance of returning to game action earlier than Godwin, and suiting up at some point in September is a possibility following his offseason meniscus surgery. That would be a welcomed development for the Bucs’ offensive line, a unit which underwent a number of changes ahead of Week 1 to compensate for Wirfs’ absence. The four-time Pro Bowler is under contract through 2029, so a cautious approach will of course be taken with his recovery process.

Tampa Bay will look for a 2-0 start to the season on Monday against Houston. That effort will not include Godwin or Wirfs, but their respective rehab processes have reached an important final phase.

Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin Likely To Miss First Month Of Season; Tristan Wirfs Could Return In September

August 28th, 2025 at 6:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers will be without wideout Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs to start the season. Both were moved to the active roster on Tuesday, though, meaning a return prior to Week 5 is a possibility in each case.

Shifting to the reserve/PUP list would have ensured either player missed the first four weeks of the season. That could still prove to be the case, but Tampa’s decision means Godwin and Wirfs could at least resume practicing in September. General manager Jason Licht provided an update on both players Thursday.

Appearing on 95.3 WDAE radio (audio link), Licht said Godwin may not be back until October. The Pro Bowler continues to rehab the fractured ankle which ended his 2024 season, and Week 2 was named earlier this month as the point at which he could return to practice. A cautious approach should be expected, of course, but missing Godwin for all of September would deal a blow to Tampa Bay’s passing game. Jalen McMillan is set to miss considerable time this year as well, so Mike Evans and first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka will be leaned on early in 2025.

Licht noted Wirfs is more of a candidate to see game action in September. The All-Pro underwent arthroscopic knee surgery early last month, setting up a rehab timeline including missed games in the regular season. The Bucs’ offensive line will receive a major boost whenever Wifrs is back in the fold, something which could take place relatively soon if his recovery does not encounter any setbacks.

Licht praised both players for their work so far in the rehab process, noting Godwin and Wirfs are considered week-to-week at this point. The status of each will be worth monitoring, but at least a few missed games are in store even if things go according to plan.

NFL Minor Transactions: 8/26/25

August 26th, 2025 at 10:36pm CST by Ely Allen

Amongst a busy day of roster moves, here are some minor transactions outside of final roster cuts:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Green Bay Packers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Arizona, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay all made decisions to pull players off the active/physically unable to perform list in order to avoid them missing the first four games of the season. They may not be quite ready to start in Week 1, but their teams at least have confidence that they won’t be out for a month.

Franklin wasn’t a free agent for long. The former Panthers safety just finished out camp in Denver and was told that he didn’t make the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster. Hours later, he apparently came to an agreement with Buffalo and will head there to start his 2025 campaign.

Orzech has been the Packers long snapper for the past two years after similarly short stints with the Rams and Jaguars. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Green Bay gave him his first long-term deal. The 30-year-old will be under a three-year, $4.8MM deal that will make him the third highest-paid long snapper in the league.

Buccaneers To Carry LT Tristan Wirfs On Active Roster

August 21st, 2025 at 10:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers are expected to be without Chris Godwin to begin the season, but they are nevertheless on track to carry him on their active roster in September. The same is also true of left tackle Tristan Wirfs.

Head coach Todd Bowles said on Thursday (via Fox Sports’ Greg Auman) Wirfs will be on the active roster once final cuts take place. Starting the season on the reserve/PUP list – the likely outcome as of last month – would have guaranteed at least a four-game absence in this case. By moving Wirfs to the active roster, though, he will be eligible to play (or at least practice) within that span.

Missed time during the regular season has been in store since Wirfs underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in early July. The matter of how long he will be unavailable has been unclear ever since, however. Today’s update certainly does not offer any guarantees regarding the two-time All-Pro’s timeline, but it is still an encouraging sign that playing before Week 5 will be an option.

Wirfs inked a five-year extension last offseason. That pact carries an AAV of $28.13MM, which was at the time the highest for any offensive tackle (Rashawn Slater‘s recent Chargers extension surpassed it by a slim margin). A healthy run of games will be critical to Tampa Bay’s offensive line in Wirfs’ case, and as such it would come as no surprise if the team played it safe with his return once he returns to practice.

In the meantime, Charlie Heck is slated to handle first-team duties on the blindside. The free agent addition has 50 appearances and 27 stars to his name, but expectations will of course be far lower than when Wirfs is back in place. When that will be is still unclear, but a long span without the four-time Pro Bowler may not wind up being necessary.

Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs Likely To Land On Reserve/PUP List?

July 29th, 2025 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tristan Wirfs is expected to miss early-season time due to an injury suffered in 2024. Todd Bowles had said at minicamp Wirfs’ knee brace was precautionary, and the standout tackle was to be ready for training camp. But an arthroscopic surgery became necessary, calling into question how the severity of this injury went undetected during much of the offseason.

Wirfs’ timetable is still a bit murky, but the Bucs may not have their top offensive lineman until at least October. Wirfs is likely to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. The Bucs face the Falcons, Texans, Jets and Eagles over the first four games.

Reports of Wirfs’ surgery and likely early-season absence circulated earlier this month. As it stands, Bowles is not locking in a reserve/PUP stay just yet. That would prove costly for a Bucs team gunning for a fifth straight NFC South championship and sixth consecutive playoff berth.

“That I cannot tell you,” Bowles said (via JoeBucsFan.com) of Wirfs’ debut date. “I just know he’ll be ready sooner than later. I don’t know if it’s Week 1, 2, 3. He’ll definitely put the work in, so I don’t have a problem with that.”

Since this report emerged, NFL.com’s Sara Walsh added (via JoeBucsFan) faint hope exists of a Week 1 return. Wirfs’ importance could lead to the Bucs saving a roster spot for him and going week-to-week with the situation. A reserve/PUP placement would create an extra spot on the initial 53-man roster while ensuring Wirfs received an extended recovery timetable. Though, proceeding weekly with this matter would allow for Wirfs to debut if he is deemed healthy between Week 1 and Week 4.

Wirfs only missed one game due to the MCL sprain sustained last year, returning after a Week 12 absence to close out the season. As for how Wirfs returned but then missed minicamp and may be destined for a reserve/PUP list stay, Stroud notes the All-Pro blocker carried an asymptomatic issue in the offseason program. Bucs doctors then detected more damage in early July, leading to the scope.

The Bucs let 2024 swing tackle Justin Skule join the Vikings in free agency. They added ex-Texans backup Charlie Heck as a replacement. Skule, who made five starts last season, is on a one-year deal worth $2MM in Minnesota. Heck is at $1.57MM ($400K guaranteed) with Tampa Bay. (Both tackle moves occurred March 13.) Heck would be positioned to open the season at left tackle, and although the second-generation NFL O-lineman has made 23 career starts (including two with the 49ers last season), this obviously marks a steep downgrade from Wirfs — a three-time All-Pro who landed on the first team in 2024. Wirfs’ presence has been crucial to Baker Mayfield‘s midcareer rebound. Beyond him, the Bucs have three rookie-contract O-line starters to go with Ben Bredeson.

An Iowa product who transitioned from right to left tackle in 2023, Wirfs has delivered durability during a five-year career. He has missed more than one game in just one season (2022, when a high ankle sprain led to three injury-driven absences). Wirfs is tied to a five-year, $140.63MM extension that had been the top O-line contract until Rashawn Slater‘s recent Chargers payday.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/25

July 22nd, 2025 at 8:42pm CST by Ben Levine

With training camps kicking off around the NFL, teams continue to make adjustments to their rosters. Here are today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Waived: DT Dante Barnett
  • Placed on active/NFI: RB Zack Moss

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: K Mark McNamee

Houston Texans

  • Waived: CB Keydrain Calligan

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Waived: OT Savion Washington

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Waived: OT Obinna Eze

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs Will Miss Start Of 2025 Season

July 9th, 2025 at 9:12pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Buccaneers All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is expected to be sidelined for the start of the 2025 regular season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this week, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

Wirfs sprained the MCL in his right knee last November, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman, but only missed one game before returning to the field. The soreness from that injury lingered into the offseason, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, sidelining Wirfs for parts of spring practices, during which he wore a brace on his knee. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said last month (via Auman) that Wirfs’ limited participation was “precautionary,” adding that “he’ll be fine in training camp.”

However, the team determined that surgery was best for Wirf’s long-term health. The knee scope revealed more damage than expected, and the 2020 first-rounder will be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp, per Stroud. His stay on the PUP list will likely extend into the regular season.

All eyes in Tampa Bay will now turn to the team’s tackle depth. Wirfs is not expected to miss more than a few games, so the Buccaneers are unlikely to flip right tackle Luke Goedeke to the blind side. The team swapped out veteran swing tackles this offseason, letting Justin Skule depart in free agency and signing Charlie Heck. Heck started two games at left tackle for the 49ers last season and will likely be the Buccaneers’ Week 1 starter.

Wirfs will now begin the recovery process from the recent surgery with the goal of missing as few games as possible. Of greater importance to both him and the Buccaneers will be a full and complete recovery from his MCL injury with five years remaining on his extension signed in 2024.

NFL Restructures: Texans, Humphrey, Wirfs, Holcomb, Conklin

March 17th, 2025 at 12:16pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans have restructured a number of deals in recent days to clear up some cap space for the 2025 league year.

First, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the team converted $12.33MM of Nico Collins‘ 2025 salary into a signing bonus and added two void years to the end of his deal. These moves opened of $9.86MM of cap space. Fellow wide receiver Christian Kirk also agreed to convert $14.33MM of his 2025 salary into a signing bonus while adding four void years to the end of his deal, freeing up $11.46MM of cap space, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.

Pelissero also reported a restructuring on the defensive side of the ball, as outside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair saw $7.83MM of his 2025 salary converted into a signing bonus with an additional void year added to the end of his deal. This last move created $6.26MM more of cap space.

Here are a few other restructured deals from around the NFL:

  • In Baltimore, Brian McFarland of RussellStreetReport.com detailed how the Ravens did a max restructure of cornerback Marlon Humphrey‘s contract. His $18MM base salary was reduced to the veteran minimum as $16.74MM was converted into a signing bonus. The team also added two void years to the end of his deal, ultimately opening up $13.39MM of cap space.
  • Per Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs agreed to a restructured deal that would see his $26MM base salary reduced to the veteran minimum with $24.83MM converted into a signing bonus. The move created $19.86MM of cap space.
  • Pelissero also reported on a restructured deal for Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb. While details of the restructuring have yet to be released, we know the deal will clear $5MM of cap space, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  • ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler brings us our final restructured deal of the day for Browns right tackle Jack Conklin. The revised contract reportedly removes a year — making Conklin a free agent in 2026, instead of 2027 — and pays him $10MM this year with $9MM in guarantees and $2MM available in incentives. Cap influences from this deal have not yet been reported.

Bucs’ Tristan Wirfs Suffers MCL Sprain

November 11th, 2024 at 10:36am CST by Adam La Rose

NOVEMBER 11: An MRI has confirmed that Wirfs is indeed dealing with an MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A short-term absence should be expected as a result, but the worst-case scenario has certainly been avoided.

NOVEMBER 10: The Buccaneers’ offensive line has been dealt a notable blow in Week 10. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs exited the game with a knee injury and needed assistance to make it back to the locker room.

Wirfs was ultimately ruled out for the rest of the day, and it remains to be seen what his full prognosis is. At this point, however, the possibility exists for a notable injury. The three-time Pro Bowler is believed to be dealing with an MCL sprain, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

An MRI will be needed to determine the full extent of the damage, but a sprain would certainly not constitute the worst-case scenario. Wirfs would likely be able to return to the lineup at some point during the regular season if he does indeed wind up with a sprain being confirmed. Of course, missed time of any duration would be acutely felt up front for Tampa Bay.

Wirfs had a strong start to his career at right tackle, then took over on the blindside last season. The Iowa product continued his streak of top-10 PFF evaluations in 2023, remaining the anchor of the Buccaneers’ O-line during his debut at left tackle. Given his age and status as one of the league’s top tackles, it quickly became clear the 25-year-old be in line for a monster extension this offseason. One was worked out in August, and Wirfs secured an AAV of $28.13MM on a five-year pact. That deal makes him the league’s highest-paid offensive lineman.

As a result, Wirfs’ health over both the short and long term will be a major priority for the Buccaneers. The former No. 13 pick entered today as PFF’s eighth-ranked tackle, so being without him for any stretch would be signficant up front. Of course, Tampa Bay is already shorthanded on offense with Chris Godwin out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Fellow receiver Mike Evans could be back by Week 12, but the team’s passing attack will be tested regardless of which pass-catching options are in place if Wirfs misses time.

The Buccaneers have just lost to the 49ers, leaving them with a 4-6 record. Top spot in the NFC South is not yet out of reach, but overtaking the Falcons in that respect would be difficult with further injuries on offense. Wirfs’ outlook will be worth watching closely given his significance to Tampa Bay’s O-line and the team’s postseason chances as a whole.

Bucs, LT Tristan Wirfs Agree To Extension

August 6th, 2024 at 10:28am CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 6: Wirfs will receive $52.24MM of his new guarantees locked in at signing, as detailed by OvertheCap. His $25MM roster bonus and $26MM 2025 base salary will provide significant cash flow early in the pact, which includes another $26MM in salary locked in for 2026 on the fifth day of the 2025 league year. The extension lowers Wirfs’ cap hit for this season to $6.61MM, though that figure will check in at more than $31MM every year from 2025-28.

AUGUST 1: Tristan Wirfs‘ financial future has been settled. The All-Pro tackle reached agreement on a five-year, $140.6MM Buccaneers extension on Thursday, as first reported by veteran insider Jordan Schultz. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

This monster pact includes $88.24MM in guarantees, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. Wirfs is still on the books for the coming season via his fifth-year option, so today’s deal means he is under contract through 2029. This agreement checks the final major piece of business off Tampa Bay’s offseason to-do list.

The likes of Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. each secured big-money deals this year to keep them with the Buccaneers. The latter – as expected – became the league’s highest-paid safety with his extension. Wirfs’ deal checks in at an AAV of $28.12MM, which moves him to the top of the pecking order for left tackles. Bucs general manager Jason Licht made it clear this past weekend the 25-year-old would likely take the top spot financially for at least blindside protectors, and that has now taken place. Wirfs has also moved ahead of Penei Sewell, who earlier this offseason became the top earner for right tackles.

Wirfs attended training camp in anticipation of an agreement being worked out, but he did not take part in team drills prior to the deal being finalized. The Iowa alum said progress was being made, though, so the expectation remained that he would soon have a long-term accord in hand. That is now the case, so Tampa Bay’s subsequent practices can now have the team’s full offense on hand.

For the first three seasons of his career, Wirfs manned the right tackle spot and delivered strong results. The former No. 13 pick earned Pro Bowl invitations in 2021 and ’22, adding a first- and second-team All-Pro nod during that time. Tampa Bay moved on from veteran left tackle Donovan Smith last offseason, paving the way for Wirfs to switch to the blindside. That transition went well, as the latter added another Pro Bowl to his resume and cemented himself as the anchor of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.

When taking into account the $18.24MM Wirfs was already guaranteed to earn in 2024, his total scheduled compensation is just under $159MM. This is the most lucrative contract in franchise history, one which ensures Wirfs will be in place for the foreseeable future. Tampa Bay will aim for a fourth straight NFC South title in 2024, and he will no doubt play a major role in determining whether or not a return to the postseason ensues.

The Buccaneers entered Thursday with roughly $25MM in 2025 cap space. That figure will change drastically once Wirfs’ deal is officially on the books, but absorbing his scheduled cap hits should be feasible for the time being. After a trip to the divisional round of the playoffs, several members of the team’s nucleus are now set to remain in place as the Bucs attempt to improve on their 2023 performance. Wirfs’ accord will now, in turn, serve as the new standard for future tackle mega-deals.

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