Tristan Wirfs Speaks About Robert Hainsey’s Likely Departure

Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs joined “The Pivot” podcast with hosts Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder recently and spoke on a whole host of topics. As the group dove deep into Wirfs’ thoughts on the Bucs, blocking for Tom Brady, and what it will take for Tampa Bay to reach the Super Bowl again, he also took a moment to discuss fellow offensive lineman and best friend Robert Hainsey.

Clark asked Wirfs about what he was feeling as it sank in that the Bucs would not move past the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card round of the 2024 NFL playoffs. Here is Wirfs’ response.

“Yeah, that was Robert Hainsey. He’s my best friend. He came in a year after me. And we just did everything together. Because I came into a room that was a very veteran-led room. Everyone had kids. Everyone was older. But he came in and I was like, ‘Yeah we are hanging out.’ We got to do everything together. So, that was an emotional moment.

He started the past two years. Ended up not being the starter [this year]. We drafted Graham Barton. He came in. But Hainsey, he took it – it was tough for him at first. But him being a veteran now. Teaching Graham the ropes. Teaching him the way. And now Hainsey is going to be a free agent. He’s going to go play somewhere.

There’s not 31 centers in the league better than him. We talked about it all year. Like, ‘I’m going to leave. I’m not going to be here next year.’ We give Graham a hard time about it, like it’s never going to be this good. I thought we had an incredible O-line room. We just give him a hard time.

That was kind of the realization that he’s leaving. It’s over. Because it’s never going to be the same. That’s how it is in the NFL. But that was kind of the realization that he is leaving. It was emotional. Like, I love the O-line room we had this year was the best I have ever been a part of. And we are so close.

We have three free agents. We have Robert Hainsey, Ben Bredeson, Justin Skule. And those guys are my best friends. It sucked. But that’s the NFL. I hope we can get someone back. I know Hainsey wants to go play. He loves ball. He loves playing. He’s one of the smartest guys I know. Tough as nails.”

Tristan Wirfs Knows Robert Hainsey Is Looking For A Starting Opportunity

Perhaps no one on earth knows Robert Hainsey’s plans in free agency more than Tristan Wirfs. The two have forged an incredible bond over the past three years in Tampa Bay. As Wirfs mentioned, Hainsey was the de facto starter for the Bucs in 2022 and 2023 filling in for Ryan Jensen, who missed both regular seasons with a knee injury that would eventually end his career.

While Hainsey the former Notre Dame product played surprisingly well in 2022, the team was looking to upgrade after the interior of the offensive line. That included Hainsey, who struggled throughout most of 2023, and led to the drafting of Graham Barton in the first round and the demotion for Hainsey back to reserve.

While Barton offers more long-term upside and a brighter future for the Bucs, Wirfs is absolutely right that there are not 31 better centers playing in the NFL right now. And as he looks to free agency, Wirfs and the Bucs know Hainsey will be looking for – and is likely to find – a team that will see him as an upgrade on their current center situation.

In his first season as a starter, Hainsey ranked 13th overall among qualifying centers in overall grade from Pro Football Focus. His 73 pass block grade was sixth among that same group and his 98.7 pass block efficiency was tied for sixth. In 2023, his overall grade fell to 50.2 as he dropped to 28th out of 31 qualifying centers. His pass block grade fell to 57.3 which ranked 16th.

This past year Barton missed one game, giving Hainsey a small sample size to show he is still a starter-caliber player. He made the most of that opportunity in Week 6 against the Saints. He allowed no pressures on 45 pass block opportunities and earned an 81 pass block grade from PFF. He also helped pave the way for the Bucs’ first truly elite rushing performance of the season as the team rushed for a combined 277 yards.

He should find multiple suitors in free agency who will likely offer him 1-2-year deals with either a guarantee or a path to being a starter. New England, Tennessee and Chicago could all show interest. One interesting option could also be Jacksonville where former Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen is now the head coach. The Jaguars had issues up front last year and starter Mitch Morse could be a cap casualty.

One thing is for sure. The likelihood Hainsey winds up back in Tampa Bay in 2025 are slim-to-nil. And Wirfs knew it as soon as the 2024 season came to a close for him. You can catch the entire interview with Wirfs here or clicking the video below.