Home NFL Buccaneers Wirfs on Mayfield, ” He’s a Baller”

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield leads the team onto the field / via buccaneers.com

Buccaneers Wirfs on Mayfield, ” He’s a Baller”

February 12, 2025

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced a pivotal moment at the end of 2021. Fresh from their second Super Bowl victory in franchise history, they were now confronted with the looming retirement of legendary quarterback Tom Brady, leaving a gaping void at the position.

You never want to be the guy who replaces “THE” guy.

Tristan Wirfs, the Buccaneers’ talented offensive lineman, had a memorable introduction to the NFL. As a rookie, he was part of the team’s Super Bowl-winning season and went on to play alongside Tom Brady for his first two years in the league.

For Wirfs, comparing quarterbacks to Tom Brady might seem inevitable, but the veteran lineman insists it’s not that simple. Now in his fifth year, Wirfs recently shared his perspective with The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov, opening up about the Buccaneers’ quarterback transition from Brady to Baker Mayfield and his personal dynamic with the former Heisman Trophy winner.

“Yeah, I thought it went pretty smooth. I mean Baker came in and kind of just won everyone over, just with being who he is, you know? His personality is incredible and he’s a baller. He’s a dawg,” Wirfs stated. “It was really cool for me, you know. I mean, basically [Baker] is a little bit older than me, but, like, somebody — Tom was 22 years older than me — so like having somebody my age and that I could hang out with, go to dinner with, just all that stuff. So I think that really helped us click off the bat.”

A Smooth Transition

“I thought it was a really smooth transition. You know Bake’s my quarterback. I’ll ride or die for him. It’s pretty awesome, I love him to death.”

Wirfs has been vocal in his praise for Mayfield, consistently emphasizing that the Buccaneers are “Bake’s team.” He’s also made it clear that Mayfield’s leadership inspires unwavering loyalty, with teammates willing to go the extra mile – or as Wirfs puts it, “run through a wall” – for their quarterback.