Tristan Wirfs lists top pass-rushers in NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs has faced off against many of the NFL’s best pass rushers since entering the league in 2020.

Speaking recently on the “Vikes Verified” podcast, Wirfs identified the top-5 sack artists he’s been across on the line of scrimmage. The list included: The Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons, New Orleans Saints’ Cameron Jordan, Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, Buffalo Bills’ Von Miller and Los Angeles Chargers’ Khalil Mack.

It’s a star-studded list, with at least one first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer in Miller. The list has combined for an astounding 420.5 sacks throughout their combined careers — Parsons off to a blistering start with 26.5 in just two seasons.

Remarkably, Wirfs, Tampa Bay’s 2020 first-round selection out of Iowa, has graded out well against some of the game’s best. Wirfs, 24, has started 46 of a possible 50 games at right tackle since entering the league, earning Pro Bowl selections in each of the past two seasons. In 2020, Wirfs helped lead the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

Tristan Wirfs taking on leadership role in 2023

The 2023 season will be different for Wirfs, as for the first time in his career, somebody other than Tom Brady will be taking snaps under center for the Buccaneers. Now entering his fourth season in the NFL, Wirfs is looking to fill the leadership void left by Brady.

“We had Tom,” Wirfs said, via Pewter Report.com. “Tom is an incredible leader. He’s an incredible person. You could put him up there with the best leaders of all time. He was very vocal. He’d bring the whole team up and give a little speech after practice. He’d bring the whole offense up.

“Obviously, I’m not even close to that level to do that now. But I want to say a couple things — how I’m feeling or what I’m thinking. Just how practice went — just little things. I’ve been trying to do that more. Trying to be somebody that the younger guys can kind of lean to or ask me questions about whatever. It is weird, I still feel young, but going into Year 4, I’ve been to the Super Bowl, been to the playoffs, been to the NFC Championship, I’ve done stuff.”