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Haunting Words From Tristan Wirfs

July 13th, 2025

Tristan Wirfs

More than a year ago Tristan Wirfs talked about hanging up his career earlier than some might expect, and the impact on joints when you’re playing weight is 360 pounds.

(Yes, 360 pounds. Don’t believe the weight lies every team knowingly prints on roster lists. Eventually, gambling forces will demand teams to correct these lies/misrepresentations.)

Wirfs’ 2024 trip to the Washed Up Walkons podcast was something Joe chronicled 13 months ago. He acknowledged there how playing double-digit seasons at his size is difficult on joints and, interestingly, Wirfs noted how Todd Bowles talked to the team about ways players leave the game.

Wirfs shared that Bowles explained “very few people get to walk away under their own accord.” The lesson resonated with Wirfs, he said.

Asked how many years he wants to play, the Bucs’ left tackle said he’s unsure. Wirfs acknowledged thinking about how offensive linemen have shorter shelf lives compared to other positions.

“It’s a lot [of weight] to be walking around on your joints on your knees and ankles and everything,” Wirfs said, referring to discussions he’s had with Bucs training staff.

“You gotta make a tough decision one way or the other,” Wirfs added. “When you get up there [in NFL playing years], it’s like, ‘Do I keep playing? Do I want it to end not on my terms, or am I in the place to walk away now and be OK?”

Wirfs also noted he plays about 360 but can drop down to about 352 in the midst of sweltering training camp.

Now in his sixth season following a suprise knee surgery last week, Joe is left wondering if Wirfs’ comments from last year have been unearthed from the back of his mind.

The All-Pro is signed through 2029, his 10th NFL season. Perhaps that’s Wirfs’ football end at 31 years old if not a year sooner.

Joe wouldn’t knock any player choosing to hang it up healthy and wealthy.