TAMPA, Fla. — There’s no doubt, change will happen in the NFL and players have to adjust to them, whenever they come.

What You Need To Know

  • Buccaneer Tristan Wirfs is changing positions from right tackle to left tackle

  • Wirfs played left tackle at Iowa University

  • The decision came after the departure of Donovan Smith

  • Coach Todd Bowles says he is impressed with his adjustment so far

Buccaneers two-time pro bowler Tristan Wirfs said he had a conversation with head coach Todd Bowles, the day after the 2022 season ended, and it went something like this.

“He said, 'It’s probably what we’re going to do,' so that's kind of when I started thinking about it,” Wirfs said.  

With the departure of Donovan Smith, who had guarded the quarterback's left side for eight seasons, there was now a void that needed to be filled, and the Bucs turned to Wirfs to step up and take charge.

“I told him, I said I’ll do whatever you guys need me to do. If this is what you guys think is best, then that’s what I’ll do," Wirfs said.

He knows the responsibility that comes with having to protect the most important player on the field.

He played right tackle his first three years as a Buccaneer, and come the 2023 season, he’ll switch to the left side. 

“It’s just everything’s backward," he said. "Just kind of getting used to throwing with my left hand instead of my right and not throwing with my right and opening up. It’s all different, it’s so similar. You’re doing the same stuff, it’s all just flipped.”

Bowles said the adjustment is coming along now that they are a few weeks in OTA.

“He’s adjusting so far pretty good," the head coach said. "We’re out of pads, you gotta get in pads so he can get the feel for it but his footwork is good. We like what we are seeing over there thus far."

Wirfs said he is tapping into his muscle memory from his days as a left tackle at Iowa University.

He remembers the footwork, the hand placement and the timing required to protect the quarterback's blind side. 

Drawing on this experience, Wirfs said he he feels confident as he takes on this new role.

He said he’s very hard on himself, but this offseason he’s prioritizing taking every day as an opportunity to better himself, embracing the change, and gearing up for his fourth season in the NFL.