ClutchPoints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no strangers to adversity. From Tom Brady’s retirement to Baker Mayfield’s redemption arc, this is a franchise that thrives in the gray area between expectation and surprise. Yet as training camp kicks off for the 2025 season, there’s a storm brewing in Tampa, and it’s coming from the left side of the offensive line. With star tackle Tristan Wirfs likely to miss the season’s first month, the Bucs must find answers fast. Because for all the talk about continuity, weapons, and chemistry, one truth remains: if Mayfield can’t stay upright, none of it will matter.
The Buccaneers enter the 2025 training camp with uncertainty looming over their offense. Two of their most critical playmakers are recovering from major injuries, casting a shadow on what should be a hopeful preseason. That’s All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs and Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin.
Wirfs is the linchpin of the offensive line and one of the league’s premier tackles. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on July 8. He’s expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. That would sideline him for at least the first four games. Godwin, meanwhile, is still working his way back from a dislocated left ankle that ended his 2024 campaign in Week 7.
To cushion the blow, Tampa used its first-round pick on Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. He is a dynamic prospect who gives the team flexibility as Godwin ramps up at his own pace. However, while the Bucs can afford patience at receiver, replacing Wirfs is a more urgent and complex task. The offensive line was already in flux. With journeyman Charlie Heck stepping in for the departed Justin Skule, the options at left tackle are thin and unproven.
For Mayfield, fresh off a resurgent season, this camp won’t just be about building rhythm or refining mechanics. It will be a test of adaptability. Navigating the early weeks without two of his most trusted offensive pillars could shape not just his performance but the trajectory of Tampa Bay’s season.
Here we’ll try to look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers player who is under the most pressure as they enter the 2025 NFL season.
A new, urgent challenge now dominates Tampa Bay’s training camp agenda: Who replaces Tristan Wirfs?
Wirfs is an o-line unicorn. He is the only player in NFL history to earn All-Pro honors at both tackle spots. His blend of size, technique, and footwork makes him the anchor of the offensive line and arguably the team’s second-most valuable player behind Mayfield. Losing him for even a few weeks could derail the offense’s rhythm.
With Wirfs out, the current options are, well, less than ideal. Veteran Charlie Heck is a newcomer to the team still learning the system. He’s serviceable, but not the caliber of lineman you want protecting your quarterback’s blind side in a season opener on the road. Behind...
