It’s been a crazy offseason for right tackle Tristan Wirfs in 2022. He’s still rehabbing from his ankle injury suffered in the Wild Card round, and two of his close confidants are no longer on the Bucs. The bright side is that center Ryan Jensen did return to the offensive line as a free agent.

But after winning a Super Bowl as a rookie and earning a Pro Bowl nod and first team All-Pro in a year two, Wirfs is still looking to achieve more. One his next goals might be to get quarterback Tom Brady’s phone number.

“I don’t have Tom’s number,” Wirfs said, laughing. “I don’t think I’m there yet. We’ll see.”

You would think a Super Bowl and All-Pro would get him the GOAT’s number. Apparently not, but maybe after next season.

Wirfs Ankle Rehab Update

Nonetheless, it’s been a busy offseason for Wirfs, who is looking to build off of an already stellar year. The first case of business started with rehabbing his ankle injury. Thankfully, it did not require surgery and it’s been so far, so good this offseason.

“It’s been really good,” Wirfs said. “I’ve been down here training and rehabbing and everything. I didn’t get surgery. I’m feeling good, lifting and everything.”

New Look Offensive Line

While having Brady at quarterback stays the same, his teammates on the offensive line will be different. Right guard Alex Cappa signed a new deal with the Bengals and left guard Ali Marpet retired.

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs and RG Alex Cappa – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I have to give a shoutout to Cap,” Wirfs said. “I was really sad. Cap’s my dog. I’m really happy for him. Go get paid. I was really excited for him, sad to see him go.

“I was really happy for Ali. He got to go out on his own terms – a Super Bowl, a Pro Bowl. He finally was getting the recognition that he deserved. Getting to play with him for two years was incredible, seeing how our relationship progressed through my two years here.”

In replacement of Cappa comes Shaq Mason, whose career Wirfs has been following for years. The Bucs traded a fifth rounder to find their next starter.

“We were working out together today,” Wirfs said. “I’ve followed Shaq on Instagram since high school, so getting to play next to him is going to be really cool. Really excited to play with Shaq and get to know him more.”

Left Guard Competition

On the other side, you’re going to have a trio of Aaron Stinnie, Nick Leverett and Robert Hainsey lobbying for left guard. Wirfs gave his thoughts on the competition between a group of players that he’s very close with.

“It’s going to be a really fun competition come fall camp,” Wirfs said. “It’s cool because those are all my boys. Stinnie, Nick, Hainsey, those are all my boys. It’s going to be fun to watch them compete and I’m going to do my part to be there for those guys. And they’re going to do the same for me. It’s going to be fun.”