RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesIt's good to be an NFL quarterback.
There isn't another position in the NFL that gets as much glory. Or as much money.
The 12 highest-paid players in the league are all quarterbacks. Star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans became the first non-QB in NFL history to receive $50 million/year in April. Anderson is only 24 years old. He has made two Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro last season. The third overall pick in 2023 plays one of the NFL's premier positions.
He's still only the 13th-highest-paid player in the league.
Quarterbacks also win the NFL's MVP award almost every year. The last non-QB to take home the hardware was Adrian Peterson in 2012.
For a non-QB to win MVP, he doesn't just have to have a great season; he has to have a historic season.
If anyone on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wins the MVP award this season, history shows that it would likely be QB Baker Mayfield.
However, left tackle Tristan Wirfs is Tampa's best player, but could he ever be a serious threat to win the league's most prestigious individual award?
Kevin Patra on NFL.com picked one non-QB from each NFC team who could be an MVP candidate. He easily chose Wirfs for the Bucs.
Wirfs Is A "Stone Wall"
Referring to him as a "stone wall," Patra acknowledges that Wirfs is Tampa's most important player aside from Mayfield. In his six seasons, he has been selected to five Pro Bowls and named to three All-Pro teams.
"When healthy, Wirfs is the definition of a stone wall, with Pro Bowl nods in each of the last five years. The left tackle shields Baker Mayfield ’s blind side while being able to blow open holes in the ground game. Only injury slowed Wirfs last season, when he missed five games, including two crucial losses down the stretch. Playing through some nicks last year lessened Wirfs' production, but the Iowa product is in line to bounce back. Outside of Mayfield, there isn’t a more important Buccaneer in 2026."
Wirfs' 92.7 overall grade from PFF ranked second out of 89 qualified tackles. While even the best tackles usually are much better at either run or pass-blocking, Wirfs is a rare specimen who excels at both. He was the third-highest graded tackle as a run blocker and fourth as a pass blocker. He accomplished this during a season in which injuries caused him to miss five games and to fall short of the dominant standard he has set when he was on the field.
Wirfs is a special talent.
Could A Tackle Ever Win MVP?
As incredible as Wirfs is, it will be nearly impossible for him to win the MVP. No offensive lineman has ever won the award, unless you count Hall of Famer Mel Hein, who took home the prize in 1938 after a standout season at both center and linebacker for the New York Giants.
The game was a little bit different back then.
No matter how valuable Wirfs is, unless the Bucs decide to make him their goal-line running back, Wirfs will have to settle for being thought of as one of the best players in the NFL.
In case anyone is thinking that maybe he could win Offensive Player of the Year, no lineman has ever won that either.
Final Thoughts
Wirfs is one of the best tackles in the NFL, if not the best.
It is a shame that offensive linemen, especially left tackles, have virtually no chance at winning an MVP trophy, no matter how good they are.
Even if he never wins the award, Wirfs has proven to be one of the league's most valuable players since he arrived in Tampa. He will likely be at the forefront of any success the team has this season. The Bucs would also suffer greatly if Wirfs were to miss significant time with injury again in 2026, or unexpectedly has a pedestrian season. Very few players will have a greater impact on their team than Wirfs will for the Bucs.
Very few players will be more valuable.
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