The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to have a busy offseason. Another task was added to their to-do list when offensive coordinator Dave Canales was hired away by the Carolina Panthers to become their next head coach.
Canales did a great job working with Baker Mayfield in 2023 and will now be tasked with helping improve Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It will be interesting to see who the Buccaneers tab as Canales’ replacement and who the quarterback running the offense will be.
Will Mayfield return to Tampa Bay after a stellar season? Or will he test the market and take the best offer he can find? Mayfield isn’t the only integral part of the offense who is a free agent this offseason, as wide receiver Mike Evans is also an unrestricted free agent.
NFL News & Rumors: Tristan Wirfs & Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updates
Losing Evans would be a major blow as he recorded his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard campaign in 2023. He is a bonafide star and it would be difficult to replace what he brings to the field. Another key offensive piece the team has a big decision to make with is offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.
The No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft shifted over to left tackle from right this season and was solid. Entering his fifth season in the league, Wirfs could play out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal in 2024.
Or, as suggested by ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, he could work out an extension with the Buccaneers. Schatz believes that is the route the franchise will go so that they can knock down his cap hit in 2024 and lock him into a contract for his prime years.
“The Buccaneers will sign left tackle Tristan Wirfs to a contract extension to keep him with the team through his peak years while lowering his 2024 cap hit of $18.6 million. Wirfs ranked 23rd among tackles in pass block win rate (89.5%) in his first season after switching from the right side to the left,” wrote Schatz.
NFL News & Rumors: Tristan Wirfs & Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updates
That is a solid performance from Wirfs, flipping over to the blindside for the first time in the NFL. It would behoove the Buccaneers to work out a contract this offseason, as another stellar performance at left tackle in 2024 would only drive up the price to keep Wirfs.
He has proven capable of being an anchor for the offensive line and is worthy of being committed to long-term. Signing an extension this offseason would also help the Buccaneers open up a little cap space. They need all the money they can get with a few stars hitting free agency this offseason whom they hope to keep.
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