“Mutual Interest” Between Bucs, Chris Godwin
June 9th, 2021
Bucs WR Chris Godwin.
Man, Chris Godwin wasted no time yesterday showing Bucs brass what a monster weapon he is.
He was razor-sharp yesterday in his connections and chemistry on Day 1 of mandatory minicamp with park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller-coaster-scared, numbers-rules-peeved, Bucs-Super-Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.
Yeah, Joe gets it. It’s underwear football. Dudes are wearing shorts and no pads. It’s flag football without the flags. Passing should be ahead of the defense.
With that in mind, Joe is trying to temper what he saw from Godwin yesterday. It may have been his best practice ever. Godwin caught everything, it seemed. Awesome footwork to stay in bounds. Open all the time.
And Brady was hitting Godwin with precision, sometimes perfectly. It was as if Godwin had a giant magnet in his body that lured the ball to him a receiver’s sweet spot.
If yesterday is the way Godwin will play this season, look out! And it will likely cost the Bucs.
Godwin was a free agent last year and in the aftermath of free agency, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said he franchise-tagged Godwin because he didn’t know if he could keep him.
It’s not going to get any cheaper for the Bucs. Asked about his status for 2022, Godwin admitted yesterday that yes, he and his representatives have had conversations with the Bucs about an extension.
By his answer, Godwin seemed to hint perhaps the two parties were not close in dollar figures. But Godwin did say there is a positive in the preliminary talks.
“I think the good thing is there is mutual interest on both sides,” Godwin said, noting he wants to stay with the Bucs and the Bucs want him back. “I think we all want the same thing. It’s just figuring out how to make it work.”
With the salary cap going up significantly next year, and likely the year after that, Godwin is likely looking at Powerball money if he gets on the open market.
Godwin, if he left the Bucs, would be perfect on a team with a developing quarterback like the Jags or the Jets.
As far as how smooth if not electric he and Brady were yesterday, Godwin said he felt like he and Brady have only been away from each other for a couple of weeks.
June 9th, 2021 at 9:35 am
As long as he stays healthy he will get 20-23 million per year.
June 9th, 2021 at 9:47 am
Golladay got 4 yrs/$72 M from the Giants–hopefully they can do something similar.
June 9th, 2021 at 9:47 am
All because of the low key backyard practice
June 9th, 2021 at 9:52 am
He will most likely be gone next year because we will probably not be able to keep him.
June 9th, 2021 at 9:55 am
If TB leaves, we need him.
IF TB goes another year he can make another WR a star. done it 50 times.
June 9th, 2021 at 9:56 am
Golladay got top WR FA money at $18M per year. He is comparable to Godwin but probably has more big play upside! Amari Cooper deal is a disaster and should not be used as comparable. Godwin had a down year last year and with AB here this year, I would not expect Godwin to post any better receiving numbers this year! There is no way Bucs should give Godwin a long term deal over $20 M per year. I would hold the line and try to sign him between $16-18M. If he wont sign, let him take injury risk and see where that takes him. There have been a lot of good young WRs drafted in past 2 years alone and its just not wise decision to tie up so much money on a very good but not elite WR!
June 9th, 2021 at 10:07 am
Salary cap is going up significantly next year, enough to sign Godwin, Carlton Davis and a few more good players.
June 9th, 2021 at 10:31 am
Godwin played like Jerry Rice in the regular season. Played like Michael Clayton in the playoffs.
Let’s see who he is this year.
June 9th, 2021 at 10:53 am
Just franchise tag him again if possible.
June 9th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Love Godwin but don’t know how I would feel seeing my team pay quarterback money for a receiver. Don’t know the average top salary but considering how much he’s on the field we may have no choice. If we aren’t giving up any key guys to sign him I’m all in
June 9th, 2021 at 11:17 am
It’s nice to have these problems.
June 9th, 2021 at 11:40 am
Godwin has a ring, so he should go get max dollars…whether in Tampa or elsewhere. I believe the Bucs should let Godwin walk for a couple reasons many aren’t factoring in.
1. Godwin played under a 3rd round deal and this will be his only shot at the big payday. Franchising him again would just only upset Godwin, but you also have…
2. A lot of homegrown players in line for big paydays. Carlton Davis and Vita Vea are going to get max dollars for their position groups. Cappa’s deal is up and many more. Many of these young guys may not take hometown discounts because Brady is here. Veterans will, because they made their money. You can’t move around franchise tag money. You pay it all that season. Finlly, with all those young players coming due, is it smart paying 2 receivers max dollars?
June 9th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
What if Brady retires after this year? With Trask on a rookie contract you should be able to sign Godwin.
June 9th, 2021 at 12:29 pm
It was always going to be a one year deal with Godwin last year. I’m sure they talked and agreed for the 1 year so they could sign the rest of the team. I’m sure for that to happen both parties knew the cap would jump extremely higher next year and a multi year big contract would be next. They have a core group of guys that aren’t gonna break the bank but know they will be taken care of and kept. Arians and Licht aren’t going to let their leaders leave for a few million extra. And those leaders aren’t going to try and break the Bucs either. Shaq is payed well, but not the highest in the league.
June 9th, 2021 at 12:48 pm
College football is lowering the value of WR and CB. Not because they are not valued highly, but because college football and even High schools are now about throwing the football and defending the pass. Think of both positions and maybe even edge rushers as a commodity. The value of all those positions are less expensive because there are so many more. Just look at the numbers of those positions taken in the draft. Look at all the FA in this group who didn’t get the money they thought they would. Sure the cap cut was part of it, but relative to other positions it was down and in my opinion it will continue to fall.
June 9th, 2021 at 2:13 pm
I hope that Godwin plays so well that we would be absolute morons to let him go, but he has got to stay healthy for the entire season. A sure way to doom your salary cap and your team is to overpay for an injury prone player.
June 9th, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Counting chickens too early leads to disappointed farmers.
Fame is fleeting folks. Enjoy the now
June 9th, 2021 at 3:49 pm
The two best WRs in franchise history are starting for the Bucs right now. Godwin would be the #1 receiver on most any other team in the league. He wants to finish his career as a Buccaneer. Find a compromise that works for both. He’s a winner.
June 9th, 2021 at 7:15 pm
Brady says he has the best hands he’s ever played with.
That should easily answer the question.
June 9th, 2021 at 10:52 pm
If your one of the people saying they don’t need Godwin , then you obviously don’t know how football is evolving into a pass first league !! EVERY great team has at LEAST 2 GREAT WRs on their team ! If not 3 .. DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND LET THE GMs figure out how to keep the players
June 11th, 2021 at 9:01 am
Love this guy. They’re all going to improve this year, if that’s possible. GO BUCS!