At this point, it’s fair to ask what more Tristan Wirfs has to do.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle has already built a résumé worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Yet, every offseason, national rankings continue to undervalue one of the NFL’s most dominant players. If anything, Wirfs has a legitimate argument as the best offensive tackle in football.
Wirfs Has Already Built a Historic Career
Wirfs has accomplished more in six seasons than many offensive linemen achieve during an entire career. The 27-year-old has earned five Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors while establishing himself as the cornerstone of Tampa Bay’s offensive line.
His versatility alone separates him from nearly every tackle in league history. Wirfs remains the only player ever to earn First-Team All-Pro honors at both right tackle and left tackle, proving his dominance regardless of where he’s lined up.
Simply put, there isn’t another offensive tackle with a more complete résumé at this stage of his career.
NFL Players Continue to Undervalue Wirfs
Despite his consistent excellence, Wirfs took an unexpected tumble in this year’s NFL Top 100 rankings.
After finishing No. 28 on last year’s player-voted list, Wirfs dropped to No. 52 this offseason. That’s a staggering fall for a player who remains at the top of his position.
There simply are not 51 better football players in the NFL than Tristan Wirfs.
The Tape Doesn’t Support the Drop
Nothing about Wirfs’ 2025 season suggested he deserved to fall down the rankings.
According to Pro Football Focus via Josh Crysler of Pewter Plank, Wirfs finished as the NFL’s second-highest graded offensive tackle with an outstanding 92.7 overall grade. He ranked among the league’s best as both a pass protector and a run blocker, continuing the elite play Buccaneers fans have come to expect.
When a player performs at that level, dropping 24 spots becomes difficult to justify.
The Disrespect Didn’t Start There
The NFL Top 100 wasn’t the only ranking to overlook Wirfs this offseason.
ESPN’s annual survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts ranked him as the third-best offensive tackle in football. While most players would gladly accept a top-three ranking, Wirfs had already claimed the top spot on that same list a year earlier.
What changed?
Certainly not his play.
If anything, Wirfs continued proving why he belongs at the top of every offensive tackle discussion.
The Buccaneers Have the NFL’s Best Offensive Tackle
Arguments can be made for several elite offensive tackles around the league. However, few players combine consistency, versatility, durability, and dominance the way Wirfs has throughout his career.
He protects Baker Mayfield’s blind side, anchors Tampa Bay’s running game, and rarely loses his individual matchup. Those qualities define greatness, and Wirfs delivers them every season.
The rankings may say otherwise, but the film tells a different story.
Summary
Tristan Wirfs continues to receive far less recognition than his performance deserves. Whether it’s the NFL Top 100 or rankings from league executives or a player’s poll, the Buccaneers’ star tackle keeps getting overlooked despite producing elite results. If he plays to his usual standard in 2026, the conversation shouldn’t be whether he’s a top-three tackle. It should be whether anyone in the NFL is better than Tristan Wirfs.
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