While being the greatest sport in the world, football can also be a grueling one. Year in and year out NFL players like Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs put their bodies on the line to help their team win, which is partially why we all love the game so much.

In 2021 the NFL announced they would be adding an 17th game to the regular season, which was approved by all 32 teams. It came with mixed reviews from players, who understandably feel passionate about the safety and longevity of their players. On one hand, an extra game meant more NFL records would be broken and more stats compiled. On the other hand, another game meant more wear and tear on players’ bodies.

Though the players have had to play an extra game in a 17-game regular season, teams still only get one bye week. It’s a head-scratcher. The league will have teams play multiple Thursday night games in a season, giving each team a shorter amount of recovery time, as well as having teams play Monday night games and flexing others into prime time that could impact team’s schedules significantly. And yet despite all of this, the players are only given one week off.

Tristan Wirfs Is Lobbying For An Extra Bye Week

Bucs WR Russell Gage and OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Injuries are a part of the game and happen to every NFL team. The Bucs saw a rash of injuries early on as center Ryan Jensen was lost for the regular season on the second day of training camp, and Shaq Barrett tore his Achilles in a Thursday night game in Week 8.

Both of those injuries were season-ending, but other nagging injuries during the year to wide receiver  Russell Gage or cornerback Carlton Davis III may have been a mitigated if the players could have received an extra bye.

The players have already noticed how one extra game has increased the toil the game of football has taken on their bodies.

Bucs offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs was on the Vikes Verified podcast recently and convincingly stated the league needs to adopt an additional bye week.

“Yes it does,” Wirfs said about if there’s a difference between going from 16 games to 17. “We need an extra bye week.”

With rumors of an 18-game schedule eventually looming for the NFL, there has to be a second bye if another game is added. Wirfs also gave a record prediction for the Bucs this season, stating that Tampa Bay would finish 12-5 after a disappointing 8-9 campaign last year.

Tristan Wirfs Is Looking Forward To Playing Against Local Teams

Tristan Wirfs is embarking on a big season as he moves from right tackle to left tackle in 2023. This year will also be a special one for him due to the opponents on the schedule.

Wirfs grew up in Iowa and played his college football for the Hawkeyes. With the Bucs playing the NFC North this season, he’s going to get the opportunity to play in the Midwest in front of many friends and family that will be able to make the trip. The Bucs open up the 2023 NFL season against the Minnesota Vikings and also head to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It’s going to be crazy because this is the first time really this season having a couple of closer games to my hometown,” Wirfs said. “We’ve got the Vikings, we’ve got the Packers – all drivable distances. I think we’re going to have a pretty big showing at this game.”

Going into his fourth NFL season, Wirfs isn’t exactly new to the game anymore but also hasn’t faced every team on the road just yet.

He was asked which was his favorite road NFL stadium to play in so far, and he went with a spot that he’ll see again this season, but mostly picking it because it was a very memorable game for both him and Bucs fans during their 2020 Super Bowl winning run.

“I think I’m going to go Packers,” Wirfs said. “I think because being a Midwest guy growing up, I had buddies that were huge Packers fans. Getting to play there – I think the occasion that we were there for, NFC Championship game on my birthday – I think that kind of played into it. It made it really special and it was snowing, but getting to play, my mom and my aunt were there, I think that’s probably my favorite.”