Tristan Wirfs is locked up on a new contract extension that is a win-win for him and the Bucs.

Not only did Wirfs become the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history, but Tampa Bay has secured the anchor of its offensive line through the 2029 season.

In doing so, the organization also retained a leader and a key person in the culture that has been established in recent seasons. Since being drafted in the first round back in 2020, Wirfs has served a critical role in the Bucs winning the Super Bowl and becoming an annual playoff contender. With him in town for the long haul, the hope is that he helps lead the team to bring another Lombardi Trophy back to the bay.

Heck, a boat parade could still happen this offseason, as far as general manager Jason Licht is concerned.

Bucs GM Jason Licht: “Greatest Offseason I Can Imagine Since I’ve Been Here”

Entering the offseason, there were a lot of question marks about what direction this Bucs team would take. With plenty of big-name free agents and looming deals needing to be made with their homegrown talent, general manager Jason Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg (aka the salary cap guru) had their hands full getting a lot of deals struck.

Back at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in February, Licht famously stated that if the team could retain its own, a boat parade would be in order.

With left tackle Tristan Wirfs being the last piece to be re-signed after agreeing to a five-year, $140.63 million extension on Thursday, Licht reflected on it being a big day for the organization.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“What an awesome day,” Licht said. “Relief. I said back in February that to sign all the guys back that were about to walk out the door in free agency, including Baker [Mayfield], Mike [Evans], Lavonte [David], Antoine [Winfield Jr.], Chase [McLaughlin] – brought back Jordan Whitehead. We get this one done [points to Tristan], we should do a boat parade because that’s the greatest offseason I can imagine since I’ve been here.

“If anybody has a boat, let me know after this. If anybody deserves to be the highest-paid in the franchise’s history and highest-paid [offensive] lineman in the history of the NFL, it’s this guy right here.”

With some of Wirfs’ offensive line mates and his quarterback attending his press conference, it speaks to the bonds and friendships that have firmly entrenched themselves on the Bucs’ roster.

“It’s a testament that his teammates are here, along with Meredith and Julius,” Licht added. “Teammates are here, everybody’s excited for Tristan because of what he embodies as a leader, a person, a player, a freakish athlete, all those things. He just means so much to this organization and what we are trying to build here in terms of the culture with Coach [Todd] Bowles and what he has done. This is the tightest-knit group I’ve ever been around in terms of the locker room, and a lot of that is because of Tristan.”

Tristan Wirfs Has “Loved Every Minute” With The Bucs

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

The Bucs have experienced a lot of success since a 2020 offseason that saw them most notably land quarterback Tom Brady in free agency as well as Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. with their first two NFL Draft selections. Each of those moves, among others, have paid off handsomely for the organization, and this offseason, the team returned the favor.

By inking Winfield and now Wirfs to deals that make them the highest-paid at their respective positions in NFL history, Tampa Bay was quick to pay them well for their contributions so far – and for the ones they will make for years to come.

Wirfs discussed his excitement in having so much support and for the memories that have yet to be made.

“It’s exciting stuff having the guys here, having Meredith here, having the baby here,” Wirfs said in his opening statement. “It’s been an insane four years, and here we are. It’s been a lot of fun, a lot of memories, and a lot more left to come. It’s pretty awesome.”

Thursday called for a lot of celebration and reflection. The three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman is grateful for the connections he has with everyone in the building.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“To have these guys here supporting me means the world to me,” Wirfs said. “They’re my best friends. We bleed together, we sweat together, we cry together. It means a lot.”

Wirfs continued.

“I love it here, I’ve loved every minute here,” he said. “I think Jason said it a little bit ago, we’re a really tight-knit group across the board. Coaches, players, support staff, everybody. Everyone has got their hand in the pile. It meant a lot to me that everyone was really excited and happy for me. It was super cool, I gave Coach Bowles a big hug, and Jason a big hug, it was awesome.”

Not only was the big guy giving big hugs, he also received one from his best friend – quarterback Baker Mayfield.

“He gave me a big hug right outside the equipment room this morning,” Wirfs said. “He said, ‘You deserve it, brother,’ and he’s happy for me.”