General manager Jason Licht put the money where his mouth is, making Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL on Thursday.
Wirfs agreed to a five-year deal to end his “sit-in” contract dispute with a pact reportedly worth up to $140 million.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield helped break the news coming onto the field for Thursday’s training camp session, looking into cameras and announcing, “My friend just got extended.”
The Buccaneers’ social media accounts shared the brief video and this message: “Baker’s friend (and the highest-paid offensive lineman in @NFL history) just got extended.”
Wirfs, 25, participated in some drills early in camp but opted to observe padded practice while working on a new deal.
His contract is the fifth for the franchise that pays a player at least $20 million annually.
The Bucs moved Wirfs to left tackle last season after three seasons at right tackle. They picked up his fifth-year option that would’ve paid him $18.6 million this season but both sides were committed to reaching a long-term extension.
Licht told reporters Sunday that Wirfs deserves to be the highest-paid lineman in the league. His deal averages $28 million per season, eclipsing Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw’s offseason extension paying him $26 million per year.
“I can promise you this, Tristan’s gonna be playing for the Bucs this year. He’s gonna be playing for the Bucs in the distant future. I think we’re gonna get something done at some point, I just can’t tell you when. … I’m optimistic that hopefully it will be soon,” Licht said.
The Bucs selected Wirfs No. 13 overall in the 2020 draft out of Iowa. He has started all 63 games he has played in, making the Pro Bowl the past three seasons and earning All-Pro honors in 2021.