There haven’t been many offensive tackles who have ever played in the NFL like Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL All-Pro Tristan Wirfs.
We got another reminder just how special Wirfs is in the first half of Tampa Bay’s Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals, when Baker Mayfield found Wirfs, 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, for a 2-yard touchdown pass.
Wirfs’ touchdown, which came with 1:36 left in the second quarter, gave Tampa Bay a 10-0 lead and set social media ablaze over the big-man touchdown from the NFL’s best big man.
It was the first career reception and first career touchdown for Wirfs.
“OMG TRISTAN WIRFS!?!?!?” the Buccaneers wrote on their official X account.
Wirfs Gets Unique TD Celebration
When Buccaneers score touchdowns, they’re traditionally lifted up in the air, Lion King-style, by one of the offensive linemen. Usually, it’s Wirfs doing the lifting.
In this case, it was center Graham Barton who came over and did the honors — truly an incredible sight.
Wirfs also did what an NFL All-Pro wide receiver couldn’t for the Buccaneers earlier in the game when Chris Godwin dropped a point blank touchdown pass from Mayfield in the first quarter.
“Chris Godwin dropped TDs – 1,” That’s Good Sports wrote on its official X account. “Tristan Wirfs dropped TDs – 0.”
“Tristan Wirfs touchdown catch today for Bucs looks to be his first score since this pick-six in high school in Mount Vernon, Iowa,” Fox Sports reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account, sharing a video from Wirfs’ high school days.
“Tristan Wirfs WR1,” Barstool Sports wrote on its official X account.
“TRISTAN WIRFS CAN DO IT ALL,” Pro Football Focus wrote on its official X account.
“BAKER MAYFIELD TO TRISTAN WIRFS TOUCHDOWN,” Dov Kleiman wrote on his official X account. “Yes, you read that correctly.”
“Tristan Wirfs is the first 300-pound player to catch a touchdown this season, per ESPN Research,” ESPN’s Jenna Laine wrote on her official X account.
“Tristian Wirfs has now TIED Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr in receiving touchdowns this year,” Blitz SM’s Ryan Linkletter wrote on his official X account.
“Great play call here: Tristan Wirfs just caught a TD,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account. “Yes, that’s right.”
Wirfs is Crown Jewel Among NFL Offensive Tackles
Wirfs, 26 years old, took over the top spot in the ESPN’s preseason position rankings this season after coming in at No. 4 spot for offensive tackles in 2024.
Buccaneers right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke was among the honorable mention selections.
“Wirfs earning first-team All-Pro honors at left and right tackle is an incredible feat,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on July 13. “No other player in NFL history has done that. Perhaps even more impressive: Wirfs did so in his second NFL season of playing each position (2021, 2024), showing a Doogie Howser level of quick learning. ESPN Research attributed two sacks to Wirfs, an impressive number for a left tackle. His 95.9 pass block win rate led all tackles.”
Wirfs is also the game’s highest paid offensive tackle, signing a 5-year, $140.6 million contract extension in August 2024 that is still the standard the position.
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