Tampa Bay’s left tackle isn’t letting the lack of a new deal hold him back from reporting.

There was uncertainty surrounding Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs ahead of training camp. The negotiations of a new deal have been underway for some time and with no new deal many wondered if that was going to force Wirfs to hold out.

Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case.

Wirfs has reported to training camp without any threat of not showing up. In fact, he talked to the media following Monday’s practice about the importance of being at practice regardless of what his contract situation is while also playing it safe.

Yeah, I talked to Coach [Todd] Bowles about it. I pretty much told him the same thing: I have to be out [here]. I’ve got to be out here. It’s just not in my DNA to…it was hard enough missing OTAs. I was in the weight room window watching the guys practice. I just told Coach Bowles I wanted to be cautious,” Wirfs said. “There’s a lot at stake. I was out there when [Ryan] Jensen went down a couple years ago. I’m just trying to be as smart as I can, and now I’ve got a little one to look after now. I’m just trying to be as smart as I can but still be out here and get as many mental reps as I can.”

Reports have contradicted each other on when a new deal for Wirfs will get struck. Not much is truly known other than both Tampa Bay and Wirfs’ camp have been talking for quite some time.

However, the 25-year-old isn’t worried about it as he feels both sides are close on reaching a deal.

“Yeah. Yeah, I think so,” Wirfs said when asked if he feels a deal is close. “I mean, it’s all been good. We’re just trying to work out some little things. But no, but I think we’re moving [well]. These past couple days have been really good. We’ve just got to bring it home.”

General manager Jason Licht and the Bucs want to make their star left tackle very happy by making him the highest paid tackle in the NFL. And by the sounds of it a deal to reach that goal may be imminent.