Back on March 13, former Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Charlie Heck very quietly signed a one-year, $1.57 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, expecting to ride the bench and chip in occasionally when needed.
With the recent news of Tristan Wirf's knee surgery, that's all changed.
Heck, for all practical purposes, is now the starting right tackle until Wirfs returns. And that could be Week 4 of the regular season if all goes well.
Heck has been thrust into the spotlight in Tampa Bay.
No one can replace Tristan Wirfs, but Heck will be tasked with protecting quarterback Baker Mayfield until Wirfs can return to take over the role that he's been so masterful at since the Bucs drafted him.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Heck said, per Pewter Report, when he joined the Bucs. “I’ve done a workout here before and I’m glad that it came around full circle like this and now I’m back here. I’m excited to be a part of this team.”
Heck didn't know he'd see the spotlight so soon in Tampa Bay, but signed here because he sees the team as a Super Bowl contender.
“They’re right there,” Heck said. “I’m excited to get here, learn the offense and just be here. They’ve got all of the talent in the world on this offense, so I’m excited.”
Heck's father, Andy, has been the offensive line coach of the Kansas City Chiefs since 2013 and has won three Super Bowls as a coach after an 11-year playing career with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins, so Heck has been around excellence and knows good coaching.
Heck said he was impressed with the Bucs coaching staff, and that also influenced his signing here.
“I mean, just keeping up with different O-lines during my career, this is one that I’ve always kind of kept my eyes on,” Heck added. “It’s been a group that I would be excited to be a part of, so I’m happy to be here. They’ve done a great job.”
