“He's fragile, he's old”: Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs took a lighthearted jab at the seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady’s age

Tom Brady’s legacy in the NFL is unquestioned, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to a little friendly fire from his former teammates. During a recent interview on The Calm Down Podcast with Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs took a lighthearted jab at the seven-time Super Bowl champion, calling him “fragile” and “old.”

Tristan Wirfs, who entered the league in 2020 as a first-round pick for the Buccaneers, had the unique privilege of blocking for Tom Brady during the quarterback’s final three seasons in Tampa Bay. His rookie year was particularly special, as the Bucs went on to win Super Bowl LV, giving Brady his record-setting seventh ring.
During the interview, Tristan Wirfs shared a funny memory about the immense responsibility of keeping Brady upright. “Yeah, Tom was my QB. They were like, 'Don't let anybody touch him,' and I was like, 'Alright I'll try my best' — he's fragile, he's old. Not that old, not that old!" he quipped.
His joke caught Andrews and Thompson off guard, but Wirfs quickly backtracked when he realized just how close in age Brady is to his own mother. "He's like, two years younger than my mom. Sorry, sorry, sorry!" he added, sending the room into laughter.


While the playful jab made for a great moment, Wirfs also acknowledged Brady’s profound influence on his career. The All-Pro tackle credited Brady for teaching him how to take care of his body, a lesson that helped the legendary quarterback stay at the top of his game for over two decades.
Brady’s meticulous approach to health and fitness, including his strict diet and recovery routines, has become legendary in the sports world. For young players like Wirfs, who is already a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler in just five seasons, those lessons could be the key to a long and successful career.
Now retired from playing, Brady has shifted his focus to the broadcast booth, where he serves as FOX’s lead NFL analyst. He has also taken on a new role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Wirfs remains a cornerstone of the Buccaneers' offensive line, protecting quarterback Baker Mayfield as Tampa Bay looks to return to Super Bowl contention.
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Brady’s Hall of Fame induction is a certainty, but if Wirfs continues on his current trajectory, he could one day find himself joining his former quarterback in Canton. Until then, the friendly banter between the two only adds to the legend of one of the greatest quarterbacks—and one of the best young linemen—of their respective eras.