After the Bucs finalized a big-money, long-term contract with All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., attention quickly turned to All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs. The 2020 first-round pick is expected to reset the market with a massive new deal, something that Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht has talked about getting done this offseason – before Wirfs is set to play on his fifth-year option.

Now, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday, it sounds as if Tristan Wirfs doesn’t plan to report to the AdventHealth Training Center for Bucs organized team activities (OTAs) until that big new contract comes his way. Wirfs didn’t attend Tuesday’s practice, which was open to the media, and Fowler said the 25-year-old doesn’t plan to report for OTAs in the immediate future.

#Bucs OT Tristan Wirfs did not report to OTAs and doesn’t plan to in the immediate future, per source. The multi-year All-Pro seeks a long-term contract and does not want to risk injury. Sides have not made progress on a new deal. pic.twitter.com/efdZ7aKhv5

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 21, 2024

Bucs OT Tristan Wirfs – Photo By: USA Today

Of course, it’s important to note that OTAs are completely voluntary and players can come and go as they please. Wirfs wasn’t the only Buc missing from Tuesday’s practice, as Mike Evans and Vita Vea were also not in attendance. Lavonte David attended, but didn’t participate.

The real practices to keep an eye on are still a few weeks away, as the Bucs will hold their mandatory mini-camp from June 11-13. It’s a bigger deal if Wirfs doesn’t report for mini-camp, but even then, there likely won’t be much worry from Tampa Bay’s front office and coaching staff, even if it’s true that there hasn’t been progress in contract talks as Fowler reported.

The Bucs know how important Tristan Wirfs is to their long-term plans, and there’s little doubt that a deal will be finalized at some point. There’s no deadline, as Wirfs is already locked in under his fifth-year option in 2024. So, perhaps the fact that there’s no deadline for the deal to be done is what led to this, as this is a common negotiation tactic many players use as they’re seeking long-term security. The stellar left tackle doesn’t want to get injured in voluntary OTAs, as that could hurt contract negotiations.

Wirfs would make $18.244 million under his fifth-year option in 2024, but having the security of a long-term deal before a contract year would certainly be preferable.

Todd Bowles Addresses Tristan Wirfs’ Absence From Bucs OTAs

It was obvious that Tristan Wirfs wasn’t on the practice fields at One Buc Place on Tuesday morning, and then Fowler’s report hit social media during Tampa Bay’s practice.

So, after the team came off the field, head coach Todd Bowles was understandably asked whether he was aware of the reports that Wirfs would be holding out of OTAs. And unsurprisingly, he didn’t appear worried about it.

“I’m aware that it’s voluntary,” Bowles said. “Me and Tristan had a conversation – plenty of conversations. He’s still working out. He’s been here all offseason, so I’m comfortable with that.”

Todd Bowles was asked after Tuesday’s practice whether he was aware of the report that Tristan Wirfs doesn’t plan to attend OTAs amid contract negotiations: pic.twitter.com/ux9RN3mZY8

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) May 21, 2024

Wirfs has been working out at the Bucs’ facility this spring, and he was even seen in a behind-the-scenes look of first-round pick Graham Barton’s first day with the team. Tampa Bay’s left tackle also became a first-time father recently, so skipping voluntary workouts makes even more sense on a personal level even before the contract negotiations are taken into account.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

Jason Licht said earlier this offseason that locking Winfield and Wirfs into long-term contracts were priority items for the team, and after getting the Winfield deal done, there’s no doubt that Wirfs is next.

“I think they’re (both) on their way to possibly having a historic career,” Licht said on NFL Network. “They’ve already had great careers, but historic careers and hopefully the entire time here in Tampa. That’s a very high priority for us right now, number one, Antoine and then in no particular order, then Tristan as well to get them locked up long-term.”

Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previously reported that the Bucs and Wirfs were close on a new deal, but a wrench was thrown into their plans as Lions right tackle Penei Sewell got a four-year, $112 million contract this offseason. That may have halted progress, as Wirfs will now be expected to top that number. He’ll reset the tackle market again, and it sounds as if he wants to do so as soon as possible.

That way, he and the Bucs can set their sights fully on the 2024 season and beyond as the Pro Bowler will remain a fixture of Tampa Bay’s offensive line for years to come.