Amidst a late season down swing, some positive news for two Bucs in particular may have uplifted the team’s morale.
Both Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. were named to the Pro Bowl roster this morning, capping stellar seasons for both. While Jamel Dean and Baker Mayfield were named as alternates, both Wirfs and Winfield are expected to start.
This is the second straight year that the Bucs will be represented on both offense and defense and the third time in the last five years. As for both players, this is Wirfs’ fifth time receiving the honor, only missing out in his rookie season. For Winfield, this is his second trip after being selected in 2021.
GettyAntoine Winfield Jr. was selected to his second Pro Bowl as well
Pro Bowl Honors Add to Growing Bucs Legacy
Both players have made a little bit of history in the process for the franchise. Wirfs now has the most Pro Bowl selections by an offensive linemen in Bucs history, two more than the legendary Tony Mayberry. He also now sits behind both Mike Evans and Alstott in the Bucs all time Pro Bowl selections list.
Winfield on the other hand, is the only other safety in franchise history outside of John Lynch to be selected for the Pro Bowl multiple times. Both players have also been named to the Associated Press All-Pro. However, Wirfs is actually the only player in franchise history to have been selected to the first team.
While only an alternate this season, Baker Mayfield has still made the Pro Bowl in all three of his seasons with the Bucs, and was named the Offensive MVP of the 2023 Pro Bowl games. He has the most selections by any QB in franchise history as well.
Elite Production Backs Up the Accolades
This season, Wirfs has logged over 700 snaps. Per PFF, he has only allowed 4 quarterback hits and two sacks all season long. He also has a 92.0 overall PFF grade, the second highest of any qualified O-lineman. Broken down further, his 91.0 run block and 84.6 pass block grades rank seventh overall in the NFL. In fact, only he and Andrew Thomas have 84.0+ grades from PFF across all three categories in the NFL this season.
Since Wirfs has been drafted, the Bucs have ranked in the top two in the league in fewest sacks allowed per attempt and allow the third fewest sacks total in that span as well.
Antoine Winfield Jr, also in his sixth season, has accounted for 83 total tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions, a forced fumble and recovery, 1 sack, and four QB hits over 15 games this season. Among safeties with 35+ targets this season, Winfield has the second best opponent passer rating allowed. He is also seventh in hawk rate, the measurement used to record the percentage of targets where the nearest defender recorded either a pass breakup or an interception. Most impressively, he is only one of three players and the only safety to have 75+ tackles and multiple interceptions and a forced fumble and recovery.
The Pro Bowl games will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3 for the first time during Super Bowl Week. It will be held in the San Francisco area.
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