Bucs All-Professional left deal with Tristan Wirfs joined “The Pivot” podcast with hosts Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder just lately and spoke on an entire host of matters. Because the group dove deep into Wirfs’ ideas on the Bucs, blocking for Tom Brady, and what it can take for Tampa Bay to achieve the Tremendous Bowl once more, he additionally took a second to debate fellow offensive lineman and greatest buddy Robert Hainsey.
Clark requested Wirfs about what he was feeling because it sank in that the Bucs wouldn’t transfer previous the Washington Commanders within the Wild Card spherical of the 2024 NFL playoffs. Right here is Wirfs’ response.
“Yeah, that was Robert Hainsey. He’s my greatest buddy. He got here in a 12 months after me. And we simply did all the pieces collectively. As a result of I got here right into a room that was a really veteran-led room. Everybody had youngsters. Everybody was older. However he got here in and I used to be like, ‘Yeah we are hanging out.’ We acquired to do all the pieces collectively. So, that was an emotional second.
He began the previous two years. Ended up not being the starter [this year]. We drafted Graham Barton. He got here in. However Hainsey, he took it – it was powerful for him at first. However him being a veteran now. Instructing Graham the ropes. Instructing him the way in which. And now Hainsey goes to be a free agent. He’s going to go play someplace.
Bucs C Graham Barton, QB Baker Mayfield and C Robert Hainsey – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
There’s not 31 facilities within the league higher than him. We talked about all of it 12 months. Like, ‘I’m going to depart. I’m not going to be right here subsequent 12 months.’ We give Graham a tough time about it, prefer it’s by no means going to be this good. I assumed we had an unimaginable O-line room. We simply give him a tough time.
That was sort of the conclusion that he’s leaving. It’s over. As a result of it’s by no means going to be the identical. That’s how it’s within the NFL. However that was sort of the conclusion that he’s leaving. It was emotional. Like, I really like the O-line room we had this 12 months was the most effective I’ve ever been part of. And we’re so shut.
We’ve got three free brokers. We’ve got Robert Hainsey, Ben Bredeson, Justin Skule. And people guys are my greatest associates. It sucked. However that’s the NFL. I hope we are able to get somebody again. I do know Hainsey desires to go play. He loves ball. He loves enjoying. He’s one of many smartest guys I do know. Powerful as nails.”
Tristan Wirfs Is aware of Robert Hainsey Is Trying For A Beginning Alternative
Maybe nobody on earth is aware of Robert Hainsey’s plans in free company greater than Tristan Wirfs. The 2 have solid an unimaginable bond over the previous three years in Tampa Bay. As Wirfs talked about, Hainsey was the de facto starter for the Bucs in 2022 and 2023 filling in for Ryan Jensen, who missed each common seasons with a knee damage that may finally finish his profession.
Bucs C Robert Hainsey, RT Luke Goedeke and LT Tristan Wirfs – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Hainsey the previous Notre Dame product performed surprisingly nicely in 2022, the staff was trying to improve after the inside of the offensive line. That included Hainsey, who struggled all through most of 2023, and led to the drafting of Graham Barton within the first spherical and the demotion for Hainsey again to order.
Whereas Barton provides extra long-term upside and a brighter future for the Bucs, Wirfs is completely proper that there are usually not 31 higher facilities enjoying within the NFL proper now. And as he seems to free company, Wirfs and the Bucs know Hainsey will likely be on the lookout for – and is more likely to discover – a staff that can see him as an improve on their present middle scenario.
In his first season as a starter, Hainsey ranked thirteenth general amongst qualifying facilities in general grade from Professional Soccer Focus. His 73 move block grade was sixth amongst that very same group and his 98.7 move block effectivity was tied for sixth. In 2023, his general grade fell to 50.2 as he dropped to twenty eighth out of 31 qualifying facilities. His move block grade fell to 57.3 which ranked sixteenth.
This previous 12 months Barton missed one sport, giving Hainsey a small pattern measurement to point out he’s nonetheless a starter-caliber participant. He made probably the most of that chance in Week 6 in opposition to the Saints. He allowed no pressures on 45 move block alternatives and earned an 81 move block grade from PFF. He additionally helped pave the way in which for the Bucs’ first actually elite speeding efficiency of the season because the staff rushed for a mixed 277 yards.
He ought to discover a number of suitors in free company who will doubtless supply him 1-2-year offers with both a assure or a path to being a starter. New England, Tennessee and Chicago might all present curiosity. One fascinating choice is also Jacksonville the place former Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen is now the top coach. The Jaguars had points up entrance final 12 months and starter Mitch Morse could possibly be a cap casualty.
One factor is for positive. The probability Hainsey winds up again in Tampa Bay in 2025 are slim-to-nil. And Wirfs knew it as quickly because the 2024 season got here to a detailed for him. You possibly can catch your entire interview with Wirfs right here or clicking the video under.
