Bucs general manager Jason Licht addressed the current state of contract talks with Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs on WDAE 95.3 FM, the home of the Buccaneers, on Friday afternoon. Speaking with Tom Krasniqi, the host of The Drive With TKras, Licht sounded optimistic that a deal on a long-term contract extension with Wirfs could be reached sooner rather than later.

“Tristan is one of our favorite players of all time here,” Licht said. “He’s such an unselfish guy as well, out here practicing like he has been. It’s not surprising given the unselfishness he has as well and not wanting to 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 is going to be playing for the Bucs this year. He’s going to be playing for the Bucs in the distant future. I think we’re going to get some done at some point. I just can’t say when, but we’ll get something done. I’m optimistic that hopefully it will be soon.”

Jason Licht Says Tristan Wirfs May Become The Highest-Paid Offensive Tackle

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

Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs is currently playing on his fifth-year option, which is worth $18,606,582. But he’s seeking a contract extension that would pay him in the range of Detroit’s Penei Sewell, who is the highest-paid tackle in the league.

The Lions’ All-Pro right tackle signed an extension worth $28 million per year back in April.

That’s $3 million more per year than Houston left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who makes $25 million per year.

After showing up but not practicing during the team’s mandatory mini-camp, Wirfs opted to practice in training camp despite not having a deal in place just yet. In a conversation with WDAE’s Tom Krasniqi, Licht suggested that Wirfs may wind up being the highest-paid offensive tackle in the league.

“I was on with WDAE talking about Antoine at one point, saying hey, the guy deserves to be the highest-paid [defensive back], and I’d like to say the same thing for Tristan,” Licht said. “We are working very diligently to see how we can do that, so it can help both sides as well – so it doesn’t hurt our future and we can still continue to win but we can reward him.”

Wirfs was Tampa Bay’s first-round draft pick in 2020 and was an immediate starter at right tackle, helping the team win Super Bowl LV during his rookie season. The Iowa product has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons and is a two-time All-Pro (2021, 2022).

With the Bucs moving on from Donovan Smith last offseason, the team moved Wirfs from right tackle to left tackle last season.

The move to the left side was nearly flawless for the athletic, 345-pound Wirfs, who wound up as the sixth overall offensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus grades, in 2023.