“The Tampa Bay Favorite”
January 28th, 2022
Priority.
To Joe, if the Bucs want to still compete for a realistic chance to return to the Super Bowl in 2022, then there is one guy that must come back.
That would be Chris Godwin.
(Yes, Joe values Tom Brady with the utmost respect. But there are options out there besides Brady, though none are the greatest like Brady.)
The first step into potentially convincing Brady to return would be to re-sign Godwin. And if Brady leaves, whatever quarterback you settle on (Aaron Rodgers [hope not], Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr) is going to want targets besides Mike Evans to throw to. Legitimate targets.
That would be Godwin.
Jeremy Fowler of BSPN said he has had “several” sources with knowledge of the situation tell him Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will bust his tail in an effort to keep Godwin.
The Tampa Bay favorite: Chris Godwin
One of the top players on the market is hopeful his torn ACL suffered in Week 15 doesn’t affect his bottom line. Some teams say he could see a slight decrease since his early 2022 performance might be affected, though others point to players such as Tennessee pass-rusher Bud Dupree, who cashed in on an $82 million deal despite suffering the same injury. It only takes one.
Multiple sources say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have high interest in re-signing Godwin. They consider him the Lavonte David of their offense — the tough and physical player who sets a tone and embodies team culture. Receiver Mike Evans might draw double coverage most often, but Godwin can do a little bit of everything. The money will determine whether that happens, but a return is on the table for Tampa Bay.
Calling Godwin the “Lavonte David” of the offense is very high praise. And worthy.
Joe would sign Godwin to a three-year deal with an out after the first year for the Bucs to cover themselves if Godwin’s knee doesn’t hold up. There should be plenty of incentives included so if Godwin balls out (again) those incentives will add up to reward Godwin as one of the better-paid receivers in the game.
If you apply O.J. Howard’s salary to what the Bucs paid Godwin last year under the franchise tag, the Bucs have the cash to keep Godwin, don’t let anyone fool you otherwise.
The night Godwin went down, you can make an argument so too did the Bucs’ chances at repeating as Super Bowl champs. He’s that important.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:09 am
Yup: The SB faded away, even with GOAT heroics, the moment Godwin went down.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:10 am
“If you apply O.J. Howard’s salary to what the Bucs paid Godwin last year under the franchise tag, the Bucs have the cash to keep Godwin, don’t let anyone fool you otherwise.”
Joe – this doesn’t make sense to me… OJ Howard is a free agent. We have 45 players currently signed at a cost of $196 million. The cap for 2022 will be @ $209 million.
I understand we can manipulate a few contracts to add a little more cap space but not enough to sign:
Godwin
Jenson
Cappa
Davis
Whitehead
That’s $70 million dollars just for those 5 players…
Can you explain to us how this gets accomplished?
January 28th, 2022 at 11:10 am
AGREED!!!!!!
January 28th, 2022 at 11:12 am
That and the day AB went off.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:17 am
Don’t forget there is what they’re not paying to ABCrazy.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:26 am
I would still get other high level wrs. Godwin is great but proves year after year he goes down at end of every season missing some huge and important games. Injury prone. I would still sign other receivers.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:28 am
We are not even at the Super Bowl. With all the Bucs situation between money, and trades, and extra draft picks, who the hell has ANY CLUE but I doubt Bucs and Licht are sitting on their azz.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:29 am
Our SB chances died when Byron Leftwich and Todd Bowles came up with their game plans against the Rams. Leftwich abandoned the run, Bowles let the best wide receiver run wild, no different than Mike Smith letting Julio Jones run wild.
Godwin is a must sign because he’s an elite receiver and that’s our main draw for TB12. If Brady retired, then Godwin and Evans will bring the next guy.
And I’d much rather have Rodgers than Watson, who makes Jameis look like a choir boy. But Kirk Cousins would be a stud here as well. And I wanted us to draft Derek Carr back in the day and wish we traded up for him, so maybe we right that wrong if Brady goes.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:32 am
MarineBuc is right, and it’s a point I’ve brought up repeatedly.
There’s a lot less money than many realize. Forget that mantra that the Bucs aren’t paying OJ Howard or Antonio Brown, there is no savings as payroll is going up anyway, more than the increase in the team salary cap. It’s like that “Peace Dividend” that fools kept bringing up in the early 1990s. There was no Peace Dividend, it was a political con game as the US was already running record budget deficits. The Bucs only have an estimated $19.7 million in cap space for next season, before any creative Buc salary restructuring agreements (and those are far more limited than you think).
Just think of Godwin absorbing that $19.7 million, and maybe another $15 million to $20 million that Licht can find under the sofa cushions by restructuring multiple contracts.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:33 am
Bucs keep their draft picks that perform…….we have a history of that….not letting players we draft get away……
Here’s a partial list.
Evans, Vea, LVD, Marpet, Smith, Gholston……
We will do everything we can to keep Godwin, Cappa, Whitehead & Davis..
OJ & Rojo…..not so much.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:40 am
ONLY 3 WORDS MATTER …
Biggest guaranteed contract. Godwin’s injury will bring the wisdom that careers can end quickly. You need to make your money when you can.
A desperate team with a lot of room will drop a fat bag in his lap.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:40 am
Our offense is going to be fine with Brady at the helm. The Defense is the problem. Maybe they could get Tony Dungy to come out and set it up right for next year. The coaching is expendable. Brady is not.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:47 am
Marine Buc … Thank you for helping Joe see the light. Oh wait, there’s a leap of faith involved there. No light. My bad.
Not only is OJ NOT under contract for 2022 as you stated, but neither is Godwin, so we’d be counting TWO salaries for 2022 (to pay Godwin) that aren’t even in our current salary CAP.
Besides, the fallacy of using another position’s salary IN ADDITION TO Godwin’s boggles the mind. Can Godwin play WR AND TE? Nah. The TE slot would still need to be filled, and oh ya, that costs money.
Come to think of it, my guess is that Joe worked for the Federal government in a previous life. They also seem to take great delight in saving us taxpayers money that never existed. Maybe we can both talk Joe into doing our taxes this year. Wait, I take that back. We’d both probably end up in jail with Joe laughing his arse off.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:54 am
@ DR
Haven’t we already reworked the deals of Smith, Evans, Brady, LVD and Marpet?
Who is left to restructure? I’m not saying it is impossible but how many times can you keep restructuring deals and pushing giant amounts of cap dollars into next season and beyond?
I guess we could rework S. Barrett’s deal but that will only give us another $5 million or so…
January 28th, 2022 at 11:57 am
The Bucs chances went down when they played a good team. The coaches did not have the team ready or prepared. The coaches are undisciplined and it shows constantly on the field.
January 28th, 2022 at 12:14 pm
Thats why jensen. Jpp. Whitehead are bye bye.
Only players worthy to keep imo is godwin. Cappa. Fournette.
The rest of roster can be plugged with draft and vet friendly deals.
January 28th, 2022 at 12:16 pm
I would seriously look at Berrios of the Jets who is a FA. He was VERY impressive as a WR, KR and gadget back.
Not instead of Godwin, but in addition to.
Plus, his GF is a babe…
January 28th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Signing Cappa is not a priority nor is Davis, although he is our best CB. Not saying much. I still say the Bucs have a better player in Scotty Miller than they realize. I also like T. Johnson but he did not have a good year. Darden was a waste of a pick. Showed nothing.
January 28th, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Love CG, he’s a complete player and apparently a great teammate, but his yearly injuries concern me.
January 28th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
Some of you should go back and read the boards of last year when everyone couldn’t understand how we could fit all of our guys back under the cap.
It’s not as simple as saying Godwin takes up $19M of our cap and Jensen will take up $12M Fournette will take up $6M so we’re done. That’s just not how the math works.
Their annual average is NOT the same as their cap hit. The way they structure the contracts ALL takes into account what the “cap” hit actually is. Upfront guarantees. Godwin’s deal could end up being literally a $2M cap hit next year depending on how they decide to structure it. And yes-this team at its current state is ready to compete for a SB with Brady or another good QB so we will push cap dollars into future years in order to compete RIGHT NOW.
Trust me-they’ll sign whoever they want to sign (especially if Brady is coming back and wants them).
January 28th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
I would prioritize Fournette, Whitehead, Jensen and Stinnie
Don’t think we’ll be able to afford Godwin, Davis, Howard or Cappa and we let JPP, Gholston, Suh, RoJo, Wells test the open market. If Brady and Gronk retire guess that would open up some cash. Either way we’re looking at a much different team going forward.
January 28th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Of course we want to resign Chris Godwin, but with that ACL injury we must be careful.
I like Joe’s idea of a first year way out for us, in case his injury effects his play.
Next thing we have to fix is our pass rush.
Elite Teams are able to rush with 4 guys, one reason the Rams and 49ers are playing for the championship, and we are not.
January 28th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
@ shutthebucup
Last year the Bucs were able to restructure several contracts in order to bring back everyone. I’m not sure we will have the same flexibility this season.
S. Barrett is one player who might be interested in a restructure.
We could cut C. Brate (as mentioned by Defense Rules) – 245 yards receiving & poor blocking For $7 million? No thanks. But then we would create another hole to fill on the roster.
I hope you are right. I want to see everyone back but I also want to be realistic when discussing the situation…
January 28th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
My concern about Godwin is that he was drafted to be a wide receiver and play on the outside. Coming out of college he was considered a downfield threat.
Arians has put him into the slot, has used him as a target in the middle to catch short passes and run after the catch. He has excelled in this role but the downside has been all of the balls he catches in the middle bring safeties in who lay the lumber on him. He exposed himself to injury that if he was playing his natural position of wide out, he’d be far less banged up.
So now you have a great character guy, a tough football player who doesn’t have the ability to absorb the punishment his position gets.
I don’t know, he is a risk with this injury and when he does come back will he play with the same intensity or will he be like Mike Evans was when Winston was throwing him in the middle and he’d catch it and fall down?
January 28th, 2022 at 12:58 pm
I don’t think that you can win a Super Bowl without Godwin and Brady. Regardless who would come in here if Brady does not return I don’t know that we could go back to the Super Bowl in that first year. Do we really want to even think about Aaron Rodgers, the man is a great quarterback but also a world class Deva. I don’t think he would inspire the whole team like Brady does and we need that presence in the locker room,
January 28th, 2022 at 12:58 pm
Cobra, I’m with you on Berrios. Was very impressed with him. As a returner and gadget player but also as a slot receiver.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Lakeland, I hear you, but remember we also won with Brad Johnson. I know you’re talking about next season, but clearly we can win with a decent quarterback if the defense improves. Of course still hoping Brady honors the final year of his contract so this is a moot point.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:09 pm
Joe needs to put down the crack pipe if they think Godwin returning is more important than Brady lol. The odds of landing any of those other QBs named are slim. The odds of landing a starting caliber WR in FA or the draft? That’s doable every offseason
January 28th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Godwin will be back.
There’s no doubt in my mind about that.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:22 pm
Marine Buc … Yes we have reworked those deals, but sometimes they get reworked again (like Evans has been almost constantly). One thing about restructuring that folks seem to forget: it doesn’t JUST help the team with its salary CAP; it also helps the player (they always end up making MORE money in the end via restructuring). Their agents aren’t stupid; they have the team over a barrel.
In the case of Shaq, he’s currently 29 (will be 30 in Nov). His current contract runs through 2024 (3 more years). IF we restructure his contract, we’d be guaranteeing him a slot until age 34 or 35 (dead CAP?). Big risk there as we saw with JPP this year (those guys get beat up pretty good?).
We have EXACTLY the same problem that the LA Rams have (they only have $190K in salary CAP left right now). We’ve BOTH paid premium prices for high-quality starters, but our depth has been circumspect (BOTH teams). Historically that depth has been what replaced our older starters when they retired or got to be too expensive. But who on our roster is gonna replace THE GOAT – Tom Brady? Or replace Gronk? Or Suh? Or JPP? Or LVD when he retires? That’s why mass ‘retirements’ (or ‘culling of the herd’) can be so traumatic IMO. And we’re there.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Godwin played with broken finger(s) last year all the way through the SB.
Williams the slimy Saint, targeted his knees . Who could account for that? Injury prone is an unfair label.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:24 pm
CG or bust!
and i agree they have more in Scotty than they realize.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
I don’t think we should underestimate Licht’s ability to work with the numbers…..we have more money next year than this year…..that may be all he needs to get the players.
The key is having draft picks with their lower salaries replace higher paid vets….
If JTS could replace JPP, for example…….a drat pick to replace Suh……don’t think we’ll have a problem finding a TE in the first 4 rounds to replace OJ…..
January 28th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
This team would have been more hosed if it were Evans and not Godwin that went down. That being said, you gotta get CG to stay. The beauty of his game is that he can coexist and contribute when paired with a receiver like ME13. He is also clutch when the defenses double Evans, Gronk, or Ab, and force CG to beat them. He is going to be a wealthy man, I hope he counts those fat stacks here in Tampa.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
If I was Godwin, why would I accept a contract without a ton of guarantees for multiple years. Some team will give it to him.
January 28th, 2022 at 1:43 pm
I think you’re always best bringing back a 100% healthy roster. If you have to let go of some of the good ones that are injured you must. I think you have to cut ties injuries! In the off season Tom Brady can always work with new guys to make them their best. Bring in some new blood. Free up the salary cap Get a 100% healthy roster. If you have an old car that keeps breaking down you trade it in for a new one. If Tom don’t have healthy strong guys around him he won’t be back.
January 28th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Our best chance for a super bowl next year is for Lefty and Bowles leave move Arians to the front office. Hire Josh McDaniels as head coach and Jerod Mayo as defense coordinator. Between Brady and Mc you don’t need a offensive coordinator.
January 28th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Not to take anything from Godwin, don’t forget Wirfs going down. The Rams game was ultimately lost in the trenches: no pressure on Stafford, while Brady was harassed all day.
As for AB, he simply stabbed Brady in the back after all Brady had done for him. Just disgusting.
January 28th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Let me play “devil’s advocate” for a moment. Is Chris Godwin “replaceable”?
He is all the things people mentioned above…BUT…can his productivity be replaced?
Remember, “devil’s advocate”!
Chris Godwin CAN be replaced.
Think of it in these terms: If Scooter, Johnson, Grayson, Perriman or Darden had stepped up, would we be as adamant about resigning Godwin?
I’d argue, no.
That said, I love Godwin as a Buc. I would be disappointed to see him in another uniform.
January 28th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
@ Defense Rules
I agree on Shaq. Unless the Bucs say “F the future” lets go for one more and not worry about the 2023-2025 seasons…
Same with Mike Evans. We have restructured his contract 2 or three times already. He is also turning 30 soon but we will owe him money until 2027 at this rate. lol.
Also agree – when we restructure these contracts the players are usually fine with it because it just converts non-gaurunteed money into fully gaurunteed money regardless of injury or trades…
January 28th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
*guaranteed.
January 28th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
Lamarcus Says:
January 28th, 2022 at 11:26 am
I would still get other high level wrs. Godwin is great but proves year after year he goes down at end of every season missing some huge and important games. Injury prone. I would still sign other receivers.
care to elaborate? i mean, blowing out your knee on a low hit isn’t exactly his fault. missing a game for a concussion is again not his fault. after that, he has missed a total of 4 games, 2 games each on 2 separate occasions, for hammy strains.
so again, care to elaborate?
January 28th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
We all know CG is a #2 that maximizes all of his potential and performs as a #1. The question is, how do you show that value? I think Joe was spot on with incentives. Im not too concerned about his injury because he wasnt a speedster, and noone would survive a db diving at your knee over the middle, so I dont hold that against his availability.
January 28th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Going to be hard paying two receivers #1 money. Will Godwin even be ready to start the season? Will he be the same player when he does return? The draft is loaded with receivers, maybe finding a cheap replacement at #27 in the first round would be a better idea. We brought back all 22 last year, and no S.B.. Players like JPP got worse, not better. Trying to keep the whole band together again didn’t work this year, it certainly won’t next.
January 28th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
Joe , you have confused me .. I totally agree that Godwin is a really good receiver who the Bucs should make every effort to resign..
But , u go on to say he is the ” Lavonte David” of the offense .. Is that the very same guy who stood within 5′ of his pre-snap position with hands on hip- while Stafford threw a 27 yrd completion to the leading NFL receiver ?/
I have a much, much higher regards for Godwin
January 28th, 2022 at 2:47 pm
Give the GOAT the damn keys
January 28th, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Duane … Teams will be lined up to pay Godwin, UNLESS the Bucs franchise him again. Doubt seriously that we’d do that because of the cost & the fact that you can’t restructure the contract (if franchised) to pay out more in later years.
Godwin made $16 mil this year, and franchising him again next year would cost us close to $20 mil. Not a big fan of franchising high-cost players UNLESS there’s no alternative & the team’s good enough to compete for a Super Bowl.
January 28th, 2022 at 3:16 pm
If Brady stays – then Godwin, Gronk, Fournette and Jensen are locks to be re-signed by the Bucs.
Davis is a must to bring back as well.
Beyond that it probably comes down to value.
We would all like to see Whitehead stay for instance – but it might come down to $ and how much other teams might be willing to overpay…. Same w/ Cappa and Gholston.
Not sure about Suh because he’s probably no longer worth the $9-10M or whatever he will require to play 1 more year….
and JPP will probably not be back unless he agrees to something in the $5M per year range which seems unlikely.
Lots of ‘holes’ to fill this year – and not a whole lot of $ to do it with.
But if the GOAT is still leading this team in 2022 – I have no doubt the Bucs will be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
January 28th, 2022 at 3:46 pm
All you GM geniuses should all go get in a room and wait for Jason Licht to give you a call, I’m sure he’ll be anxious to get your advice on how to do his job. I mean after you all nailed it last year how could he refuse to “run it back” with you?
Let’s take a breath and step back. Priority 1, 1A and 1AA is to make sure Brady comes back. If not then priority 2 becomes his replacement. He ain’t on the current roster. If that fails and you’re forced to go with Goobert, Trashk and a tier 2 FA like Bridgewater, that’s going to change your approach to the rest of the roster.
OK, now get into that room and wait for Licht’s call.
January 28th, 2022 at 5:23 pm
I’m still suspicious that the Slimy Saints were operating under a BountyGate 2.0 in that game. Many hits that they delivered or tried to deliver were cheap shots. In the end they got Godwin and Fournette… While Evans went out because of his own reasons, the Saints tried multiple times to cut Gronk down as well but missed the tackle.
Anyway, ACL injuries are still one of the most serious injuries in sports, but somehow, whether through advances in medicine or perhaps training, athletes are starting to come off of those injuries just as good as before. Nick Chubb is a good example.
January 28th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
While I love Fournette I would be worried about him reverting to his old ways after signing a big contract.
As far a Godwin? If Brady is returning it would help this team immensely if he would contact players during contract negotiations and tell them he is returning. I think if Brady stays Godwin will be more inclined to stay with the Bucs than go chasing water falls. Brady could help this team keep its core group of players. Honestly if Brady retires I fully expect Godwin to take the best deal available probably with another team.
January 28th, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Tb covered up a lot of holes
Jpp is old and hurt
Suh will be 36
David is slowing down and turning 33/34
45’s head isn’t in it.
We spend a lot of draft capital on DB’s
Do we really have anything there ?
Playoff L is leaving, do we have a 3 down back?
How’s the tight end room looking with gronk gone?
January 28th, 2022 at 7:41 pm
LOL!
No, Godwin is not more important than Brady.
But that’s a hilarious thought.
January 28th, 2022 at 8:30 pm
@ Marine Buc
Last year they said they could not keep everyone and they did.
Cappa Jensen walk
Whitehead walks
OJ done
Evans restructures again
Marpet, Smith same thing
Stennie for Cappa
Hainey for Jensen
Gronk, Suh JPP gone
this is why we have a GM>
January 28th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
I’d sign him to a 5-year deal.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:09 am
Seriously… I hope this is priority NUMBER 1! Evans and Godwin are home grown…. I’ve said for a few years give me that top 2 over any! Long term!!
January 29th, 2022 at 12:47 am
Godwin should be the top priority. He makes everyone better and in today’s NFL and high powered offense where 2 stud WRs are mandatory for success, he is the key. We shouldn’t sleep on Ryan J at center.
Davis and Whitehead are totally expendable. There are 4 or 5 free agents CBS that are their equal when you factor in their Salary Cap hit. We need disciplined players on defense. Stephen Gilmore, or better yet the Reed or the Ward kid would have great value. The defense is a hot mess chemistry wise and we need players that don’t have mental break downs and give up the big plays.
January 29th, 2022 at 3:10 am
godwin doesn’t really look like himself in the above picture…
it almost looks like a whole other person…
who is that blasian fellah 🙂
January 29th, 2022 at 3:21 am
bottom line is if the goat comes back….
unless unforeseen injuries happen, and i know they do,,,
the bucs should at least win the division…
after that you need to go on a 3 game win streak to get to the superbowl…
very possible with tom and a proper talent support system…
so it doesn’t seem impossible to win it all next year…
if we stay relatively healthy and heat up and get laser focused down the stretch
January 29th, 2022 at 4:41 am
Fern, I think you are close to being correct. Bucs will keep EITHER Jensen or Cappa – they won’t let both walk. If TB12 stays, Gronk will come back.
January 29th, 2022 at 9:24 am
1st off, our superbowl chances were alive until 40 seconds left in the 4th w blown all out blitz. We must have our o line back and Godwin – you resign your draft picks that earn it. Hopefully Sue will play 1 more yr and we sign an edge rusher + another consistent cb
January 29th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
I have always been a CG14 fan, but he doesn’t have LVD’s durability. This injury hurt his $$$$ value. There will be changes, and it will be an interesting off-seacon for sure.