Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs recently appeared on The Pivot Podcast to talk about everything from Tom Brady, to the Mike Evans-Marshon Lattimore fued and more.
Achieving dominance at one position in the NFL is a monumental task. Excelling at two positions simultaneously is a rare feat, reserved for the league’s elite. Buccaneers tackle Wirfs has accomplished this impressive distinction, cementing his status as one of the NFL’s most versatile and talented players.
—
Originally selected as a right tackle out of Iowa, Wirfs quickly established himself as a key contributor to the Buccaneers’ success, winning a Super Bowl and earning First Team All-Pro honors at the position in 2021. In 2023, Wirfs made a seamless transition to left tackle, and his impressive performance earned him another First Team All-Pro nod in 2024. This achievement marks a historic milestone, as Wirfs becomes the first player in NFL history to receive First Team All-Pro recognition at both right and left tackle.
While Wirfs’ transition to left tackle may have appeared seamless, he has been open about the significant mental challenges he faced. After the Buccaneers informed him of the position change following the 2022 season, Wirfs struggled to adapt. In a recent appearance on Ryan Clark’s podcast, The Pivot, Wirfs revealed that the switch weighed heavily on his mind, even invading his dreams – literally giving him nightmares.
“You’re your biggest critic. I’m harder on myself than anybody,” Wirfs said. “I remember having nightmares of giving up sacks, clean strips sacks, end of game — there were nightmares where I couldn’t take a pass set, just stupid stuff. I was like, ‘What am I doing?'”
—
As Wirfs navigated the challenging transition, he openly acknowledged struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, fearing he wouldn’t be able to adapt. To overcome these mental hurdles, Wirfs sought the expertise of a sports psychologist, who helped him shift his focus from negative thoughts to a growth mindset. Additionally, Wirfs credited swing tackle Justin Skule with providing invaluable support during a critical moment, helping him build confidence and momentum in his new role.
“It was the first day of camp. It was our first third down period of the day, and my first set was just ugly as all get-out. I crossed over, I punched with my inside hand. And I remember [Skule] in the back, he’s just like, ‘Calm down. You’re okay.’ I got that one out of the way, but that was kind of like a big moment for me.”
The outcome is clear: Wirfs’ hard work and mental toughness paid off, as he delivered a remarkably dominant pass-blocking season as a left tackle. His success serves as a testament to the critical importance of mental preparation in sports, demonstrating that a strong mindset can be just as vital as physical ability. It’s a credit to Wirfs and the Buccaneers’ support system that he was able to find the right mental footing in Tampa Bay and thrive in his new role.
Watch the entire episode of The Pivot Podcast with Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan WirfsÂ
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
