The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off their first round of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this week, and there was massive name missing from the attendance sheet.
All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs was not present for the voluntary workouts, as he continues to pursue a long-term contract extension with the Bucs that will no doubt make him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL.
Despite his absence, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles says he’s been in constant contact with Wirfs, and he’s not worried about it.
“I’m aware that it’s voluntary,” Bowles said earlier this week. “Me and Tristan had a conversation – plenty of conversations. He’s still working out and he’s been here all offseason, so I’m comfortable with that.”
The Bucs just locked up All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. with a long-term contract extension last week, so it’s likely they can now shift their energies fully to making the same thing happen for Wirfs. His absence from OTAs clearly isn’t a concern for the team, and it’s just a matter of when his new mega-deal comes down, not if.
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