Aaron Schatz: Get Chris Godwin Extended
June 22nd, 2024
Pay him now?
Many Bucs fans have been grumbling for weeks, maybe months, that the Bucs need to re-up left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Aaron Schatz, the founder of Football Outsiders (RIP) and the inventor of DVOA, also believes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has one more financial move to make to call his offseason complete. But Schatz isn’t thinking of Wirfs.
For Schatz, Chris Godwin must be taken care of now.
Extend WR Chris Godwin
Godwin’s contract voids after the 2024 season, but let’s not overthink this. He’s absolutely an above-average NFL starting wide receiver and someone Tampa Bay wants to keep around. An extension might also help spread out the cap hit for Godwin over the three void years…
Things sure do change in a hurry in the NFL. Maybe a month ago, Joe figured the Bucs drafted Washington receiver Jalen McMillan as a potential replacement for Godwin.
Maybe since the No-Risk-It; No-Biscuit offense is a thing of the past, Joe thought perhaps it’s a bit of a stretch to believe the plan is for Team Glazer to pay two receivers $20+ million a year (again).
But man, receivers have been getting paid all throughout the NFL this offseason. So with the current market, paying Godwin $20+ million a year for a fourth consecutive season doesn’t seem like a stretch any longer.
As for Wirfs? Yeah, he’s in the last season of his current. In fact, Wirfs held out of minicamp because he’s trying to avoid risk before he gets a new deal.
As for Godwin’s future, Joe thinks Godwin will play this season for a new contract. If Trey Palmer doesn’t improve and McMillan struggles, that pretty much paints the Bucs into a corner with Godwin.
June 22nd, 2024 at 8:02 am
Love CG14 but there are bigger financial needs. The Bucs already drafted Godwin’s replacement in J. McMillan.
June 22nd, 2024 at 8:14 am
Not sure what the deadline is for extensions during the season but my guess is if Godwin looks good in the new offense and Baker is producing well, then you’ll see the Bucs extend Godwin. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
June 22nd, 2024 at 8:24 am
He’s better and produced longer than Jaylen Waddle who’s making 28.5 million a year. That alone tells me CG is worth an extension. Not sure it’ll happen but if they can pay him 26 a year but keep his cap hit under 22 million for a few more seasons that would be ideal.
June 22nd, 2024 at 9:03 am
I think the cap will go up enough that the Bucs can do exactly what they did with Mike. Chris plays on the last year of this deal staying healthy and then we sign him about two to five days before Free Agency starts.
June 22nd, 2024 at 9:03 am
Love Chris. Extend him. And trade him if the need arise
June 22nd, 2024 at 9:40 am
Move on…
Geesh what a bunch of emotionally driven fans.
We need to get up to speed with the modern NFL and draft or sign FA explosive WR’s. We are chock full of solid pass catchers….🥱🥱🥱
June 22nd, 2024 at 9:49 am
Move on from having 2 top 25 WRs?
🤣
June 22nd, 2024 at 9:53 am
Joe you were of the thinking McMillan was drafted as Godwin’s replacement? I’m of the thinking the Bucs drafted him because he’s an amazing talent they wanted to add to the offense, not replace. Bucs were best when they had Mike, Cris, and yes A.B.. With Gronk at TE we were a tough cover. We need that 3rd, 4th receiver to become hard to defend, not to replace the 1st, and 2nd receivers. Just like we didn’t draft Irving to repace White. We’re wisely adding weapons, not replacing them.
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:10 am
It has gotten has gotten to the point of ridiculousness with all of this voided years/dead cap bull crap. It’s a never ending cycle. And every team has it and carries it, so I’m completely over it and tired of hearing about it… Especially as an excuse for signing someone or not signing/resigning another one. Done. Don’t wanna hear about it. Just get it done like everyone else seems to.
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:16 am
Just because Miami and other teams are STUPID with some of these deals, doesn’t mean the Bucs have to be. I would be much more interested in a deal a lot more like what he has now, plus incentives maybe. I’m not paying $26MIL+ for a slot receiver/#2/fringe #1.
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:19 am
Extending Chris is a no brainer. Greenburg the wizard knows how.
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:26 am
If you’re that ‘high’ in him ($26MIL+), then it could make it almost impossible to move him down the road.
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:35 am
Two years from now Godwin is much more valuable than Evans. Age matters. This guy has done everything asked of him. Get it done.
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:44 am
Nope… TBBF hasn’t passed away. He’s on a 26 day trip to Athens, Crete, Sorrento & Rome…..Caio!!!
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:44 am
@Booger
If stupid means 11 wins, the 2nd best scoring unit in the league, and having the potential/ability to drop 70 points on a gameday, then sign me up for stupid and keep me there the rest of my days
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:06 am
Losing Chris would be catastrophic, IMO. He is The Man, just like LVD. Canals did not use him right. Never forget he had 15 catches in one game a couple of years ago, and he has still “got it”. Sign him somehow, anyhow.
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:07 am
AND have fun and be careful, TBBF. We look forward to your return.
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:10 am
Offer him the same deal he’s playing on. Three years, 20m per. Take it or leave it. No way he gets more than that on the open market. Love Chris, but he’s never been a number one and isn’t as fast after that knee injury. If he’s willing to take that, resign him yesterday
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:19 am
Letting Godwin leave would be stupid. Pay him market. Can’t have an All Pro at every position but when you have a guy like Godwin, who is talented and competitive, but above that an All Pro person, you keep them because they elevate everyone around them.
Remember how Rah failed? He should have kept Brooks around. Big mistake. Big. And Godwin is in his prime.
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:29 am
Thank you, Crickett
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:38 am
Chris is over shadowed by Mike. But for real for realnl, Jaboo had 5k passi g yards because of Chris and Tommy wanted to play here because of Chris, he even gave up #12 for Tommy. The guy DESERVES to be a Buc for life just like Mike and LVD. Absolute steal of a third round pick. My only “new” Bucs Jersey is a #14 CG Jersey and I ordered it in September the year we won the SB. Love that dude
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:39 am
Sorry for the spelling check errors. I think you guys get the point
June 22nd, 2024 at 11:42 am
For people that say do t resign him your crazy the way people putting teams together it’s becoming super teams keep our guys to keep our super team we building find the money
June 22nd, 2024 at 12:12 pm
We won a Super Bowl with the greatest 3 WR group of all time.
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown is easily, the greatest 3 WR setup the NFL has ever seen.
Throw in Gronkowski, and it’s the greatest 4 WR setup in the history of the NFL.
Throw in Jensen, Marpet, Wirfs and Cappa and you have the best offensive line in Bucs history.
It all fell into place.
June 22nd, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Easy to say, but I don’t know where you’re getting the money. Keep in mind they’re not going to start paying Baker until next year, they keep kicking the ball down the road on the cap, and while I’m totally for that, it will eventually catch up with you and you’ll have to do a reset.
Personally, even with as much as I like Godwin, I think you just see how things go – see if this team can compete in a much improved NFC South or if it looks like the 4-7 team of last year.
June 22nd, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Hodad
I like the way you think. Just keep adding more weapons not more #3’s and 4’s.
I think having two interchangeable RB’s is going to help as well. And perhaps overlooked is that Bucky, like Rachaad is considered a good target out of the backfield as well. I wouldn’t be shocked to see BOTH of these guys in a game at the same time. Certainly they should both have fresh legs if they share some of the load. White was overworked last year.
June 22nd, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Sign Godwin
June 22nd, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Don’t question Schatz. He is the smartest stat guy going.
June 22nd, 2024 at 2:52 pm
Baker said months ago that he and Mike would have to make some sacrifices and THAT is exactly what happened. You guys saying CG is gonna make MORE than ME13 are crazy. I don’t care what the market value is, it aint happening. If he makes the same amount, maybe, but depending on WHAT he wants will dictate what happens. And of course his play. If they both play well we win. A LOT. I would keep him of possible, bit NOT at 28.5 million a year.
June 22nd, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Tom Brady might be in the Bucs doghouse, but he set an example and other players are realizing it. If you wanna win 7 rings, help the TEAM, by taking less money. TB will recoup every dollar through endorsement deals. Plus, now he will make almost as much just hearing his voice call games. It’s pretty simple! If you wanna WIN, don’t be greedy.
June 22nd, 2024 at 4:15 pm
BillyBucco – Baker didn’t make any sacrifices, that was his best offer.
Also who says Brady is in the Bucs dog house? Anyone (not you) who says that is a real moron. Brady is royalty, and the Bucs are blessed that he came here for 3-years, it’s just a shame that Arians retired and stuck him with Bowles, which certainly left Brady with a terrible taste in his mouth.
June 22nd, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Wirfs needs paid before Godwin. When it comes down to it, there are a lot less people like Wirfs that can play multiple positions and not skip a beat compared to a receiver when put on the outside his production falls off. Godwin is for sure a player that needs signed, he’s proven to be important to the Bucs. Plus if we can sign both maybe we can save enough money to trade and sign a disgruntled DE after camp and before the season. Maybe even before the trade deadline.
June 22nd, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Love Hodad and Stpetebucfan’s comments.
Also I see us aiming for that Lombardy again. To make that remotely possible we must build the roster even more.
Go Bucs!
June 22nd, 2024 at 4:35 pm
Agree. He has still got it and will for years. We really haven’t seen McMillan. Godwin any day.
June 22nd, 2024 at 4:38 pm
To while away the hours, I have been watching videos on the Buc’s website. Today I was into the “Battle Sound” ones. Anyone who feels like we shouldn’t find a way to re-sign Chris should at least watch the Jax one and Green Bay.
June 22nd, 2024 at 4:56 pm
I don’t care how many pass catchers the Bucs have the #1 reason they hover around.500 is physically they are not dominate!! To win consistently in the league you need to be a team that D-Coordinators worry about how to keep their QB upright against your pass rush without depending on the blitz. Also NOT Todd Bowles but Jason Licht needs to step up his game and learn how to build a Oline capable of physically controlling the LOS,open holes,and win time of possession. Today’s Bucs get pushed around too much for my taste. Fantasy football fans like many that post on this site are clueless what a good football team must have or looks like!
June 22nd, 2024 at 5:33 pm
It’s Wirfs all day if it comes down to it. Goedeke says he’s looking to take a big leap forward in his dominant OT position at central Michigan, and I believe it. Love Chris. Him and Mike have been such professional hard workers. It’s all about the trenches, and especially these last couple years. If Barton can show off within the next 1-3 years, we could have a very good oline inside and out.
June 22nd, 2024 at 6:24 pm
Not happening..
June 22nd, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Dude is going to break the bank again
June 22nd, 2024 at 10:56 pm
Jason and company have this and can find the money. For example, Jamel Dean will be traded if he doesn’t play like a top shelf CB. That money can be funneled to Chris. These guys do it for a living, I’m not worried. They know better than any keyboard jockies.
June 23rd, 2024 at 12:08 am
As a bucs fan
It’s safe to say I want to resign all the great players we draft
Chris Godwin is one of them. Super tough WR that came in from day one and made plays
June 23rd, 2024 at 6:45 am
I think we tend to forget how we struggled to put two quality recievers on the field before Godwin and Evans. We had Vincent Jackson RIP for a bit there with Mike but that was short lived really. Before that … Lets just say we struggled.
Jason not only needs to find a replacement for Godwin in the near future but for Mike as well. In a perfect world McMillan would be the guy. In the real world the odds are not in his favor and Jason knows it.
Keeping Godwin buys him a bit of time to get not one, but two big time players. Preferably in the draft. If McMillan pans out and is that guy then we are ahead of the game. Remember it took Godwin a bit of time to find his way.
Go Bucs!
June 23rd, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Sign CG It’s a long-term contract. After Mike Evans he is the best wide receiver in buccaneers history.