Franchise Tag Imminent For Chris Godwin
March 7th, 2022
Joe is resting somewhat comfortably this afternoon.
It’s been obvious for days since Joe asked both Bucco Bruce Arians and general manager Jason Licht last week about the knee-surgery recovery of Pro Bowl receiver and pending free agent Chris Godwin.
Both Arians and Licht had great body language when talking about Godwin. Arians said Godwin was at “45 percent” health following ACL surgery. Licht said the signs were good and he couldn’t imagine his team without Godwin.
That’s a lot different than, say, the State of the Ronald Jones Address.
This morning, ESPN super insider Adam Schefter was Twittering about the likelihood of Godwin getting the franchise tag for the second consecutive season before tomorrow afternoon’s deadline. If Godwin signs it, that’s locking down a $20 million salary for 2022.
However, what gets lost often is that getting slapped with the franchise tag doesn’t stop teams from continuing to negotiate with a player on a long term contract. So the Bucs can tag Godwin and then work out, say, a five-year contract that’s backloaded to help their cap situation this year.
The Bucs would have to be stone cold morons to break up the dynamic and versatile duo that is Godwin and Mike Evans. You don’t do that in a passing league, especially when you don’t have a proven quarterback.
March 7th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
by the time they come to a long term deal, lots of our other free agents will be gone. i hope a longterm deal can get done quick!
March 7th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
I like Godwin’s game but he’s not a true no. 1 WR. 19M/yr is too high
March 7th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Hey Mike ^. Just so you know, the Bucs are able to work on more than one players deal at a time. LOL
March 7th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised by any means, I not necessarily disagree…..
A 20mm bill to check that injury!!!
But he is the best FA on the roster……
March 7th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Que5. The “free” agency market is determined by the law of supply and demand. top WR’s are commanding upwards of 16m/yr. Yes Chris Godwin is worth at least 16m/yr and in 3 yrs from now with a rising market, may be worth 22m/yr. Sign him to a long term deal right now and he will be a bargain WR in the future when we are looking back
March 7th, 2022 at 12:47 pm
So the Bucs are going to franchise tag a player who won’t be able to play until week 6?
Sure – why not?
Don’t get me wrong – I am very happy if Godwin stays in Tampa. I just really hoped they would be able to work out a long term contract rather than use the franchise tag and spend most of our salary cap on one player when we have 24 free agents to sign…
March 7th, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Overpaying for an injury prone mid tier number one receiver is beyond dumb. Hopefully, we get Chris locked up soon for less than 20 per, but if I’m his agent, that’s my starting point if the tag is truly in play. Please don’t make the same mistake that the idiot gm in Dallas made with Amari Cooper, Licht. Let some other team make the mistake of overpaying for the currently broken Chris Godwin. This draft class is loaded with wide receivers and Licht’s record at finding them is pretty good.
March 7th, 2022 at 12:53 pm
I want Godwin back, but this isn’t the way.
Franchising the same player two years in a row is a failure of the front office to get a deal done, and it hurts the team.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:22 pm
If true, hope the Godwin immediately signs it, then takes the first half of the season to totally rehab his knee until it is 100% healed.
March 7th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Proud Bucs Fan: just one question for you…….WHY are you such a d__k? Clearly not a Bucs fan so why waste your time. Your life must be pretty pathetic.
March 7th, 2022 at 3:26 pm
Keep in mind, CG blew his ACL just before XMas in 2021…& it was worse than expected…Meaning, if everything goes well…He’s 5-0-50 to be cleared to return to Football activities in late AUG/early SEP – At minimum… If any major setbacks arise, he may not play until DEC/JAN…When the Bucs will likely already be out of the playoff picture!!!
IMO, that’s too big a risk to take w/ a $19.2M tag #, even for Godwin…Especially when this draft is STOCKED with comparable talent….(D.Bell-PUR / R.Doubs-NEV were easy CG comps that will be available on Day2)
March 7th, 2022 at 3:30 pm
How is it 2 years in a row now we can’t get a long term deal done. Paying him 1 year deals at 20 million or the 18 million he was making last year is actually costing us more than if we just got a long term deal done.
March 7th, 2022 at 3:52 pm
Again, what is the issue with Godwin not signing a long term deal with the Bucs. This will be the 2nd year he does this.
March 7th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
You can always trade him too. Take J Villes 2nd, and 4th. Be like getting a 1st, and 3rd where they’re drafting. Those picks could ease the pain, and pocketbook of having 24 FA’s.