There’s ‘next man up,’ and then there’s ‘please let this not be happening right before Week 1.’ For Baker Mayfield, the latter just became very real. There’s something poetic about the offensive lineman-quarterback relationship. You don’t choose each other, but you’re tied together. For Tristan Wirfs, that relationship began with Tom Brady. “Three years with Tom… you gotta fix this internal clock,” Wirfs told The Pivot in February. Quick throws. Zero nonsense. But then came Mayfield. Wirfs had to unlearn everything.

“Baker’s gonna look, he’s gonna run around, spin out, he’s probably gonna break a tackle along the way,” Wirfs said. “So that was a big change at first. I gotta strain — you think the ball’s out, but no, no, he’s looking.” The All-Pro left tackle was Baker’s blindside protector, his run-game bulldozer, and – oh yeah – one of his closest friends in the locker room. Now? He’s headed to the Physically Unable to Perform list, and the blindside is looking a little well-exposed.

As Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times broke the news: “The Bucs will start the season without All Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs…The Bucs scheduled arthroscopic surgery for Wirfs Tuesday, and some additional minor damage was found [in his knee].” And he also wrote, “Will likely miss at least the first couple games of the regular season.” Translation: at least four games. Minimum. Wirfs had already been wearing a brace during OTAs, trying to tough it out after tweaking the same knee he injured last year. But after Tuesday’s arthroscopic surgery revealed more issues, the Bucs had no choice. They brought in 49ers free agent Charlie Heck as the stopgap. But let’s be real – there’s no replacing Tristan Wirfs. Especially not when your QB’s been dodging defenders like he’s in a backyard game of tag.

But forget about his impact on the field, this update is personal for Mayfield. Wirfs isn’t just his blocker. He’s Baker’s guy. “There’s a little bar down in Davis Island we all go to after games,” Wirfs shared during The Pivot interview. “Being able to go out and hang out with Baker, I mean, he’s one of my best friends. So that’s an awesome relationship.” And it’s not like he didn’t appreciate Brady – he just wasn’t cracking cold ones with the GOAT on Monday nights.

“Being able to go get a beer with [Baker]. You can’t do that with Tom. He’s Tom f—ing Brady,” Wirfs said. “Just him texting me…Was like, ‘Yeah, this guy’s f—ing awesome.'” That chemistry mattered. Off the field, it built trust. On the field, it built time. Time for Baker to scan, scramble, and improvise. Wirfs wasn’t just holding blocks – he was buying Mayfield freedom. There was usually a No. 78 involved somewhere, fighting off edge rushers so Mayfield could be Mayfield. But now the injury changes everything. 

Baker Mayfield’s protection just blew out

Let’s not sugarcoat this – losing Tristan Wirfs is catastrophic. This is the man who anchored an offensive line that allowed the lowest pressure rate in the NFL last season (24.4%), per Pro Football Network. This is the man who posted a league-best 4.3% pressure rate allowed among all left tackles with at least 200 pass blocks, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

And more importantly, this is the man who helped Baker Mayfield survive. Mayfield, for all his creativity and swagger, still threw an NFL-high 16 interceptions. He thrived behind a wall that gave him room to breathe – a wall that started with Wirfs. Now? That comfort is gone.

With Wirfs sidelined, the Bucs are expected to turn to Charlie Heck, who comes with five years of NFL experience. Heck has 21 career starts with the Texans and finished the last season with the 49ers after a trade from Arizona. Yes, he’s solid. Yes, he’s seen live reps. But no, he’s not Tristan Wirfs.

The coaching staff will have training camp to get Heck integrated, but let’s be real, you might get moving, but don’t expect full power. The hope is that Wirfs will return healthy midseason, and if he does, Mayfield will be the first guy hugging him on the sideline. Because protecting the quarterback is one thing. Protecting the relationship that holds the offense together? That’s something else entirely.