The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly made left tackle Tristan Wirfs the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history Thursday by signing him to a contract extension.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wirfs and the Bucs agreed to a five-year, $140.63 million with $88.24 million in guaranteed money. Wirfs had been set to enter the final year of his contract in 2024, but he is now signed through 2029.

Schefter added that the $28.1 million average annual value of Wirfs’ new deal barely surpassed the $28 million per year contract Penei Sewell signed with the Detroit Lions in April as the highest in the NFL among offensive linemen:

Wirfs’ long-term status with the team was something of a question mark in May when ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported he did not report to the start of voluntary organized team activities because he was “seeking a long-term contract and does not want to risk injury.”

At the time, Wirfs reportedly believed “the sides have not made enough progress on a deal.”

Tampa Bay picked up his fifth-year option for the 2024 campaign ahead of the 2023 season, and that option was set to pay him $18.2 million fully guaranteed. However, that didn’t offer the long-term security this contract extension does.

While it took some time, it’s not surprising the Buccaneers kept Wirfs considering Fowler noted general manager Jason Licht said in May the goal was to come to terms on a long-term deal.

“It was a big puzzle this year of how to fit it all in,” Licht said. “Hopefully we can finish this off.”

The timing is notable, as the Lions made Sewell the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history ahead of the 2024 season with a four-year, $112 million extension.

Wirfs surely saw that as something of a comparison point when eyeing his own contract situation, which has now been resolved.

This is welcome news from Tampa Bay’s perspective as well, as he has more than lived up to expectations that were put in place when the NFC South team selected him with the No. 13 overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.

Wirfs started his career as a right tackle and helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in his rookie season. He was also a First-Team All-Pro selection in his second year and a Second-Team selection in his third year.

He then switched from right tackle to left tackle for the 2023 campaign and earned his third straight Pro Bowl selection while appearing in all 17 games.

The Buccaneers didn’t want to let someone who has started his career like that go, especially since he is just 25 years old, and reacted accordingly with this move.