Buccaneers Suffer Devastating Blow Before 2025 NFL Season originally appeared on The Spun.
It’s a good thing that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally have their long-term answer at quarterback because they now have a problem along the offensive line.
According to Buccaneers insider Rick Stroud, the Bucs will be forced to start the 2025 NFL season without the services of all-world left tackle Tristan Wirfs. The four-time Pro Bowler underwent knee surgery this week after aggravating the injury earlier in the offseason. He is now slated to miss “at least the first couple games” of the 2025 season.
“The Bucs will start the season without All Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will likely miss at least the first couple games of the regular season,” Stroud wrote. “Wirfs aggravated a right knee injury in the offseason that forced him to miss only one game in 2024. The Bucs scheduled arthroscopic surgery for Wirfs Tuesday, and some additional minor damage was found. Wirfs will likely begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. It’s a big blow for the Bucs. Wirfs protects the blind side of quarterback Baker Mayfield, one of his closest friends on the team. The Bucs signed 49ers free agent left tackle Charlie Heck, who is likely to replace Wirfs to start the season. The Bucs improved from last to fourth overall in rushing last season. Wirfs was limited in OTAs and minicamp and wore a brace on his right knee.”
Wirfs is widely regarded as the best player on the entire team, let alone the the offense. As you might expect, fans are gutted:
“Why didn’t they catch this sooner and do the surgery months ago? Wow! Somebody dropped the ball of this,” one Bucs fan replied to the news.
“What a blow. Silver lining – Heck gets all summer to take first team reps…” another remarked.
“Season is over,” a third said bluntly.
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) during an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on December 26, 2021, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The injury to Wirfs may or may not be bad news for quarterback Baker Mayfield, the team’s new franchise quarterback. Mayfield has taken 80 sacks in his 34 games for the Bucs, 33 of which came with Wirfs protecting his blind side.
But in last year’s game against the Giants, he avoided getting sacked once despite Wirfs being out. Granted, it was the Giants.
Will the Bucs struggle without Wirfs?
Related: Baker Mayfield Returning To Bucs On Massive Contract
Buccaneers Suffer Devastating Blow Before 2025 NFL Season first appeared on The Spun on Jul 9, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.