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Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff Writer
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has been absent from OTAs during contract negotiations, will be in attendance for the mandatory minicamp next week, a source told ESPN on Wednesday.
If Wirfs and his agent can’t reach a new contract with the Bucs, he’ll play under the fifth-year option in 2024 and earn $18.244 million. Because he’s under contract at this time, should Wirfs decide to switch course and not participate in minicamp, the three-time Pro Bowler would be subject to a $101,716 fine for missing all three days.
To what degree he’ll actually participate in the mandatory minicamp is unclear at this time. Wirfs could still attend without practicing, participating in classroom instruction and meetings, for instance.
Last year, inside linebacker Devin White, who was also slated to play under the fifth-year option, requested a trade over failed contract negotiations, but the Bucs did not grant his request and no new deal materialized. He signed a one-year deal worth $7.5 million with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
The Bucs have been motivated, however, to lock Wirfs up long term, believing he’s not only a cornerstone piece for the franchise but has the makings of a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“It was a big puzzle this year of how to fit it all in,” general manager Jason Licht said of Wirfs after the team re-signed safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to an extension. “Hopefully we can finish this off.”
Wirfs has been in the weight room and at the team facility this offseason. He was on hand for Mike Evans‘ and Baker Mayfield‘s contract extensions and greeted first-round draft pick Graham Barton on his first day at the facility.
“Those things have a way of sorting [themselves] out,” coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday. “I don’t worry about that right now. I understand it’s the business part of it, and we’ll go from there.”
Added Mayfield: “When it comes down to Tristan, everybody knows he’s a team guy. At a certain point, does he deserve to be paid? Absolutely. The guy’s a stud.”
