Assessing Chris Godwin
July 16th, 2024
Future with Bucs.
Joe is nowhere near ready to shovel dirt in Chris Godwin’s grill.
But the writing might be on the wall for the future of Godwin with the team. It’s not that Godwin has lost it. Joe thinks that’s nonsense. However, the Bucs drafted two receivers in the past two years, one who was a No. 3 receiver last season and the second is a guy who showed in underwear football that the NFL doesn’t appear too big for him.
Yeah, underwear football is a dangerous siren song for a receiver.
With the additions of Trey Palmer and rookie Trey Palmer, Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com seems to think the Bucs are nudging Godwin out the door.
This could be Chris Godwin’s last year in Tampa. He hasn’t been quite as good after ACL surgery. Third-round pick Jalen McMillan profiles as a potential option inside, where Godwin does damage.
While Godwin has 1,000 yards in each of the two seasons since his surgery, he has seen his yards-per-catch drop from earlier in his career (when he wasn’t playing in the slot).
When Bucco Bruce Arians came to town, Bucs fans learned that Godwin excels as a slot receiver. Dave Canales, last year’s offensive coordinator, tried to move Godwin outside more often and it nearly blew up in his face.
When Godwin went back to being featured in the slot last season — Joe likes to cite the Green Bay game — Godwin blew up.
Now that he’s back to slot with new playcaller Liam Coen, Joe thinks Godwin will be back to his former self pre-knee injury this season
In the past couple of months, lesser receivers are getting new contracts paying $20+ million per season — more than Godwin. So continuing to pay both Mike Evans and Godwin $20 million each doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
If Palmer improves (Joe expects/hopes he will) and McMillan blows up, well, maybe then Godwin becomes an expensive luxury. To wave goodbye to a reliable, non-diva of a guy like Godwin would be hard to do.
July 16th, 2024 at 7:22 am
“With the additions of Trey Palmer and rookie Trey Palmer” heads up Joe.
At any rate, I’ve been saying since April..McMillian is Godwins cheaper replacement.
July 16th, 2024 at 7:24 am
“This could be Chris Godwin’s last year in Tampa. He hasn’t been quite as good after ACL surgery. Third-round pick Jalen McMillan profiles as a potential option inside, where Godwin does damage.”
This statement is BS.
There’s nothing wrong with Chris.
There has been a massive change in QB play from the pocket.
Just look at his targets per game from 2020-2022 to last year.
2 OCs in the last 2 year 1,000 yards in both.
Touchdowns or lack thereof is criminal.
How are you trash scoring in the redzone with a Mike Evans & Chris Godwin?
July 16th, 2024 at 8:10 am
I blame Canales for not using Godwin correctly last year. Chris is a team player so you won’t hear him complain. Only after his wife blew Canales up on social media for not using Chris did things change. I didn’t think anything was wrong with Chris last year, it was just an idiot OC. I expect Coen to get the full potential out of Godwin this year.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:20 am
Dude is right, wish we had more Chris Godwins on the team. I don’t look at J Mac as Godwin’s replacement. I look at him as adding more talent to the team. Having Godwin on the field makes both J Mac, and Palmer that more dangerous. I’d give Chris one more contract like Evans that’s fair to both sides.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:25 am
Why can’t Godwin be a replacement for Mike Evans? Father time could tap his shoulder at any time now. 2024 season will determine who stays and who goes.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:51 am
I believe we should start looking for replacement at both WR positions . Love both guy’s and hope they retire here but one is going to be in his 30’s and the other one ain’t far behind him with a major knee injury. With all that said Godwin still put up pretty good numbers and a lot of teams would be lucky to have him.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:53 am
All of the offense, especially Godwin and White will put up big stats this year under Coen and new OL and OL coaches.
I really think Canales was a mediocre at best O coordinator. Terrible and predictable run calls. The team put up the stats they did because of their ability, no help from play calling.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:59 am
Agree with Buc4evr and other comments. Godwin’s wife Mariah needed to step in to get Canales to change things for him. Godwin did well. Coen will utilize him correctly.
July 16th, 2024 at 9:41 am
Evans is an absolute bargain compared to recent contracts. This all will come down to whether Godwin is chasing money or will sign for a little less because of loyalty to the team and a desire to save some cap space for improvements at other positions.
July 16th, 2024 at 10:06 am
Anybody wanna move Rachaad from RB to slot receiver?
July 16th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Godwin really is the straw that stirs the drink for this offense.
It’s going to be interesting to see if Chris is back to his pre ACL self this year. Last year it was difficult to tell because he was playing outside and was under utilized in the redzone. Godwin is such a smart, highly competitive player that even not at his best, playing out of position and under utilized he gets 1000 yards. I love CG and hope he gets a new contract and retires a Buc.
July 16th, 2024 at 10:21 am
Godwin is the darling of the fantasy community this year. Everyone is expecting him to blow up and they are saying he’s going to be in the Cooper Kupp role. I just hope Baker can find him.
July 16th, 2024 at 10:39 am
The biggest mistake was moving Godwin outside last year. He’s a slot receiver and that’s where he thrives. He’s our third down go to guy who was completely misused last season. Now that he’s back to the slot look for more sustained drives and ultimately more scoring chances.
July 16th, 2024 at 10:50 am
Wow 0 for 3 today Joe.
They are indeed trying to replace him…and LVD and Mike. Planning for the day when he decides to hang them up. Alas they are trying to replace most every player on this roster over the next few years. That is Jason’s job. Mike Evans himself is not immune to this NFL reality. It was a very sad day when Derrick Brooks was let go, but this is the NFL.
Go Bucs
July 16th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Chris is going to have an amazing season. The Bucs will sign him to a 3-year deal.
July 16th, 2024 at 11:07 am
The only things being nudged out the door are JTS and Logan the Oaf.
Chris is a Buc for life. Greenberg knows how to capologize.
July 16th, 2024 at 11:36 am
“Only after his wife blew Canales up on social media for not using Chris did things change.”
His wifes’ reaction were to words Bowles said in a presser, not Canales.
After she made her feelings known, guess what happened?
Godwin was targeted a combined 33 times weeks 13-15 after his wife made the comments when we beat the Panthers week 12 and Chris had all of 3 targets.
Sure, it might have been just Canales, but there’s someone between Godwin & Canales that touches the ball every play and based on the concept of a given play, has the final say on where he’s going with the ball. After Mrs. Godwin spoke up, Canales & Baker obviously saw they needed to be relying on Chris more than they had been.
Again, to have a talent like Chris Godwin with ONLY 2 TDs in 17 effin’ games is a misappropriation of talent and the primary ball handler for our team has to answer for that just as much as the HC & OC.
Bad reads
poor coverage diagnosis pre & post snap
All things that came with Baker when he signed as a Buc, but ya’ll are so thristy for the football celebrity nobody is willing to scrutinize the football player.
2.5 year old film analysis of Baker doing things he struggled with last year.
July 16th, 2024 at 2:36 pm
The Bucs have kept every one that I wanted, so far, so IMO Godwin and Wirfs are next, somehow. I think everyone would hate seeing Chris in another uniform, and I don’t see this front office making a mistake to let him go.
July 16th, 2024 at 3:21 pm
It’s possible he won’t be here next year. Last year was a strange year for him. His wife even raised a stink.
I think he wants out. He’d be able to make more money elsewhere.
Regardless, Jason Licht is smart to start looking for replacements. Both Godwin and Evans are starting to get up there in age, and finding replacements will lower the cap hit.
Evans might be gone in 2026.
July 16th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Godwin will get the same contact as Mike.
He’s a Buc for Life!
July 16th, 2024 at 8:38 pm
Someday both Evans and Godwin will be gone. Later than sooner I hope. Meanwhile, Buc fans, enjoy every minute they are with us!
Go Buc!
July 17th, 2024 at 6:26 am
Joe … ‘While Godwin has 1,000 yards in each of the two seasons since his surgery, he has seen his yards-per-catch drop from earlier in his career (when he wasn’t playing in the slot).’
Shouldn’t one expect that a slot receiver would have a lower YPC than others who play outside?