Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs etched his name in the NFL record books this week, becoming the first player in league history to be named Associated Press First-Team All-Pro at both the left tackle and right tackle positions. The incredible accolade is a testament to the 24-year-old’s remarkable versatility and dominance.
Wirfs received the exciting news in heartwarming fashion. During an interview with AP senior writer Rob Maadi at the Buccaneers facility, Wirfs’ girlfriend Meredith Sutton surprised him by walking in with their infant son Julius, who was wearing a shirt proclaiming “My Daddy is an All-Pro.” The tender moment perfectly captured the magnitude of Wirfs’ historic achievement.
From Mental Struggles to All-Pro Greatness
What makes Wirfs’ All-Pro selection at left tackle even more impressive is the fact that he had never played the position full-time before the 2023 season. When the Buccaneers asked him to switch from right tackle, where he had already established himself as one of the league’s elite, Wirfs initially struggled with crippling anxiety over the move.
It seems like so minuscule, like oh, you’re just flipping sides, but I was like having breakdowns about it. I would just think about, ‘I am going to suck’ or like, ‘I am not going to be able to do it’ all day long.
Tristan Wirfs on his mental struggles transitioning to left tackle in 2023
Wirfs credits Buccaneers team psychologist Dr. Joseph Carella with helping him overcome those mental hurdles. The results speak for themselves – Wirfs earned Pro Bowl honors in his first year at left tackle in 2023 and followed that up with another Pro Bowl campaign this past season.
Dominating Both Sides of the Line
Before taking over at left tackle, Wirfs was already considered one of the NFL’s premier right tackles. As a rookie in 2020, he helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl. In 2021, he earned First-Team All-Pro honors at right tackle. His seamless transition and subsequent All-Pro selection on the left side demonstrate his rare athletic gifts.
- 2020: Won Super Bowl as Buccaneers’ starting right tackle
- 2021: Named First-Team All-Pro at right tackle
- 2022: Named Second-Team All-Pro at right tackle
- 2023: Moved to left tackle, selected to Pro Bowl
- 2024: Selected to Pro Bowl and named First-Team All-Pro at left tackle
In 2024, Wirfs put together a season for the ages. His 95.9% pass block win rate led all offensive tackles, and he surrendered a miniscule two sacks across over 1,000 snaps. Wirfs’ utter dominance at the game’s most important position other than quarterback is why many consider him a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, even at his young age.
The Sky’s the Limit for Wirfs
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles had effusive praise for his star left tackle after learning of Wirfs’ historic All-Pro achievement:
That’s outstanding. It says a lot about him — his work ethic, his character, his pride, the way he goes about things. He does it the right way. He plays hard. He did a heck of a job at right tackle [and] I know he was skeptical at left tackle, but he dove in with both feet and he got great at it, too.
Todd Bowles on Tristan Wirfs
At just 24 years old, Wirfs has already accomplished more than most offensive linemen do in an entire career. If he stays healthy, there’s no telling how many more All-Pro selections and accolades he’ll rack up. One thing is for certain – the Buccaneers have an absolute gem anchoring their offensive line in Tristan Wirfs, the only player to ever be named an All-Pro at both left and right tackle.
