2024 Pro Bowler says current Tampa Bay Buccaneer is one of the most challenging players he's ever faced

Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs has simply been a force in the league ever since he started his first game.  A rock on the right side, the Bucs' 2020 first round pick immediately wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the best young tackles in the game.

Fast forward four years, and he's now arguably one of the best offensive linemen in all of football. And, of course, that's going to cost the Buccaneers at some point in the monetary department.  Wirfs is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has yet to receive an extension despite playing at an elite level across four years.

As if Wirfs needed any further argument to his point of getting paid, one of the best defenders in the league just gave him even more leverage.

Jacksonville Jaguars edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen was recently a guest on the Colin Cowherd Show recently, and he responded to Cowherd's question about who the best tackle is that he's ever faced with Wirfs' name.

"There's a couple of guys out there that are really talented," Hines-Allen said. "Tristan Wirfs is one of those guys.  He's a dog.  You've got to get ready to play when you go against him."

Hines-Allen, who was tied for second in the NFL in 2023 with 17.5 sacks, followed up Wirfs with a couple of other marquee names at the tackle spot.

"Obviously Trent Williams, who's just a freak of an athlete.  He's strong and powerful.  You've got to get ready to play against him.  And then Laremy Tunsil. Laremy is a guy that I see every year, twice a year.  It's a battle."

The Buccaneers will surely reach an extension with their franchise left tackle, who missed voluntary OTAs to avoid injury while the sides try to work towards a new deal.  He's obviously too good of a player to let leave town.  The Bucs have also shown as much as any team in the league lately that they're willing to reward their own home-grown talent with competitive contract extensions.

After all, if you've got arguably one of the best defenders in the game considering your left tackle to be a dog that you have to gear up for, it's hard to replace a guy like that.  I don't expect the Buccaneers will end up having to when it's all said and done.

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