With Tristan Wirfs likely to miss the start of the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are working out his short-term replacement.
Insider Jordan Schultz of FOX reported the Bucs would work out veteran tackle George Fant on Tuesday, likely to fill in while Wirfs recovers from knee surgery.
Fant, who just turned 33 on Saturday, has played 101 games for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Houston Texans. He played just two games for the Seahawks in 2024 before he was released March 4.
Why Do The Buccaneers Want George Fant?
The Buccaneers have Super Bowl expectations in 2025, but Wirfs’ end-of-offseason knee surgery threw a wrench into that.
Wirfs could be the most important player on the Bucs, since he protects quarterback Baker Mayfield’s blind spot. PFF gave Wirfs the No. 1 ranking among tackles in pass-blocking grades, and he earned an 82.8 overall grade last year.
Unsurprisingly, there are not too many attractive options on the Bucs depth chart at tackle, since Wirfs is a two-time All-Pro that has made the Pro Bowl four times. He has missed just two games in his first five NFL seasons.
So working out Fant will gives the Bucs a chance to see what he has left in the tank. If Tampa Bay signs him, at worst it will create more competition opposite Luke Goedeke on the right side.
But having a veteran like Fant, assuming he can still play, could both cover for Wirfs’ absence and also spell him when he comes back.
What Is Tristan Wirfs’ Status?
When the Bucs announced Wirfs’ injury, they only stated he would miss the start of the 2025 season. But Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles, in an exclusive interview with JoeBucsFan.com, offered a clearer picture on his recovery, and it’s good news for Bucs fans.
“I just know heâll be ready sooner than later,” Bowles said. “I donât know if itâs Week 1, 2, 3. Heâll definitely put the work in, so I donât have a problem with that.”
That Wirfs waited until July 8 to have arthroscopic surgery on his knee is a major point of consternation for Bucs fans. But Bowles credited the Bucs medical staff, and Wirfs, for their efforts since he initially was trying to let his knee injury heal without a surgical procedure.
“Obviously, there have been talks since the season ended and for it to heal,” Bowles said, “and [the medical staff and Wirfs] each other decided to get the surgery done. Sometimes when you let things heal, they donât heal the right way. Thatâs just part of it.
âThatâs just like going for it on fourth down. Either you get it or you donât. Either it heals or it doesnât and you have to get surgery. But there was great communication throughout and Tristanâs in great spirits right now, and if I was a betting man, Iâd bet heâd be back sooner than later. All we can do is get the next guys ready.”
Bowles hinted that Charlie Heck is the front-runner to replace Wirfs at left tackle. But of course he also left the door open, just in case Tampa Bay decides to sign Fant.
“Unfortunately itâs one of our best players,” Bowles said, referencing Wirfs. “This will be a situation for Heck or someone else to step up at tackle and hold the fort ’til he gets back.â
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