Anchored by superstar Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay’s offensive line is one of the best values in the entire NFL.
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly have their share of question marks, their offensive line isn't one of them.
With Tristan Wirfs, possibly the league's best left tackle, as the anchor, the Bucs' offensive line should be one of the best in the NFL once again.
In 2024, Tampa's line was one of the most dominant in the league. The Bucs averaged the fourth-most rushing yards per game with 149.2. Running back Bucky Irving was only a rookie, but looked like a star, finishing the year with 1,122 yards and eight scores on the ground. Irving averaged a stellar 5.4 yards per carry.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield had his best season, throwing for a career-high 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. He will be the first to tell you that his fantastic year was made possible by playing behind Tampa's offensive line.
Last season was a different story. Four of the five starters along the line, including Wirfs, missed at least five games. Guard Cody Mauch missed the season after a knee injury in Week 2.
Unsurprisingly, Tampa's offense took a huge step backwards. Mayfield's numbers regressed. Irving, who also struggled with injuries, only averaged 3.4 yards per carry when he was on the field, a full two yards less than in his rookie year.
Now healthy, the offensive line is expected to regain its dominance as the engine for the entire offense, with one analyst believing it is the best line in the league.
Steven Ruiz of Fox Sports took his praise of Tampa's line to a different level. Ruiz believes it is not just one of the best offensive lines, but one of the best groups at any position in the NFL.
Ranking his 20 best position groups in the league, Ruiz has Tampa's offensive line coming in sixth.
One Of The Best Values In The NFL
Ruiz made his rankings in the framing of building a team, not just on talent. Having a great player is great, but having a great player who makes $5 million a year, not $30 million, is even better.
That is true for positional groups as well, and Ruiz thinks that Tampa's line is one of the best values in the league, in addition to being one of the most talented.
"Players: LT Tristan Wirfs, RT Luke Goedeke, C Graham Barton, RG Cody Mauch, LG Ben Bredeson
"Total cost: $66.4 million
"The value of the Bucs offensive line was apparent last season. Eight offensive linemen played at least 250 snaps in 2025, per FTN’s Football Almanac 2026. Barton, arguably the weakest member of the group, was the only starter to play the full slate. With the offensive line in shambles, the offense imploded. But with everyone back and healthy for 2026, this unit will show why it’s one of the best in the NFL."
The Bucs' line is one of the most talented in the NFL. One of its best qualities is that none of the five starters are weak links. Wirfs is an All-World talent and one of the league's top franchise players. The other four starters all carry their own weight and add to the line's strength.
Final Thoughts
If it can stay healthy for the entire season, Tampa's line should be dominant this year.
As far as its value goes, it may not be long before the Bucs' line gets significantly more expensive. Mauch is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and will be seeking a massive raise.
Wirfs is signed through 2029, but this will be his third season since signing his extension in 2024. His guaranteed money is shrinking, and it may not be long before Wirfs seeks another lucrative extension, especially as salaries continue to rise.
A healthy line should be the catalyst for Tampa's offense to play to its potential this season. If the line can lead the Bucs back to the playoffs, it will prove Ruiz correct that it is one of the best values among position groups in the entire NFL.
