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Welcome to the NFL, rookie: Khalil Mack one-handed body slams 320-pound Bucs lineman Tristan Wirfs

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

It’s pretty much assumed that former Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs is going to have a strong NFL career. The first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft carved out a starting job along Tampa Bay’s offensive line immediately as a rookie.

That doesn’t mean he won’t learn a few lessons along the way.

Thursday night, Wirfs learned a lesson the hard way, courtesy of Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack. The five-time Pro Bowl selection had an eye-popping moment in the game, essentially body-slamming the 6-foot-5, 320-pound rookie with one hand.

Mack tossed Wirfs to the ground after recording a sack on quarterback Tom Brady. It was a pretty unreal moment.

Wirfs was regarded as one of the top offensive lineman in college football last season. He has incredible athleticism, strength and size, all the essentials for a long and successful NFL career. But Thursday night, he looked like a rookie against Mack.

It was just an incredible display of strength and power from the Bears linebacker.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB