Chris Godwin And The CeeDee Lamb Contract
August 26th, 2024
Chris Godwin
So receiver Chris Godwin is in the final season of his three-year, $60 million contract.
Considering Godwin earned $16 million playing on the franchise tag in 2021, it’s safe to say that Godwin is a ridiculously wealthy 28-year-old man who could play just about wherever he wants to next season and doesn’t have to worry about money.
But most NFL players care deeply about every last dollar on their paycheck.
So Joe was very interested today when Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb signed a new contract that averages $34 million per season.
Yes, Lamb is better and younger than Godwin, but reciever salaries have been soaring. And by Joe’s count, 15 receivers now with salaries north of $23 millon per year. (Mike Evans isn’t one of them).
Are there 15 receivers better than Godwin? Joe’s not sure. But if Godwin has a good season, his fourth consecutive year of 1,000 or more yards receiving, Godwin certainly will believe he’s at least a top-15 receiver. And that’s what’s most important.
“This Joe” is confident Godwin returns to Tampa Bay next season, assuming he stays healthy and productive.
He’s an all-time favorite of Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, and he’s a damn good player. The Bucs won’t be a better team without Godwin.
However, Joe is sure Licht and Team Glazer will have a line in the sand when it comes to what they would pay Godwin in 2025. And at the rate things are going, and as good as Godwin looked through training camp, Godwin may end up on the wrong side of that line.
August 26th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
This could be the worst article ever posted. Godwin is barely a wr2. Lamb is top 5. Slow day? Busy day, as usual. Thanks for asking. Barely a WR2, you’d get a lot of disagreement from Bucs fans. –Joe
August 26th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
If MRS Godwin ain’t happy, ain’t NObody
happy
August 26th, 2024 at 7:04 pm
I am sure licht and Godwin will bargain in good faith. The arrival of Jalen McMillan appears to tilt the scale in the Bucs favor a bit more. We shall see.
Go Bucs!
August 26th, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Spytek also mispoke recently saying that they needed to do everything they could to keep Chris when recounting resigning Mike, Lavonte, and Antoine Winfield. Could be nothing could be something.
IF CG stays healthy and produces 1000k yards and 7 or more TD’s 24.5 million or more. Count on it.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:09 pm
Beg to differ, Jason. Before his injury I would have called Godwin 1B. We will see this year.
Go Bucs!!
August 26th, 2024 at 7:09 pm
It is my hope that Godwin takes the same view as Mike Evans. The grass is not always greener over the hill and he could retire as a Buc as well. Hopefully he doesn’t walk away over dollars. What a future this offense could have for the next few years if somehow he stays. Mike Evans, a HOF player, should not be insulted once again by having his number two being paid more than himself. A good example would be that TB12 played at a discount to other #1 QB’s but his no #2 was not being paid even near his money. Just maybe there is an understanding in place.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Can McMillan develop in a strong #2 to take Godwin’s place? If so, that could give a level of comfort for the FO to let Godwin walk should the dollars reach an unpalatable level.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Idk about top 15, but he’s certainly a great player and great for this team. I’d be happy if he got another good contract from the Bucs.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:25 pm
Jason Says:
August 26th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
This could be the worst article ever posted. Godwin is barely a wr2. Lamb is top 5. Slow day? Busy day, as usual.
———————————————————————————-
@Jason,
I’m grateful that you’re not the GM for the Bucs. Godwin IS a TOP 15 receiver in the NFL. Watch what happens this season that he’s recovered from his injury.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:28 pm
Durango 95 Says:
August 26th, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Can McMillan develop in a strong #2 to take Godwin’s place?
^^^^^
That is my rationale for trading Godwin. Get something for him now (or during the season to a needy team) rather than just waving goodbye because he becomes too expensive. Reddick would make an attractive trade.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:46 pm
Wow over 2 mil a game for a wr. Follow all those top paid wrs over the last few seasons and count the SB titles. Gota know when to hold em
August 26th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
We need Godwin. Evans needs him. I don’t know why the hesitation around re-signing him. We have about $28M cap left.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
Godwin has been really nice to have here in Tampa. I think he likes it here but yeah the Glazers are kinda tight with the cash flow. I mean when we won the Superbowl i thought everyone should have been handed a little something to. Lol. He’s healthy now and I hope for the whole team to Do This Thing!!!
August 26th, 2024 at 7:58 pm
Chris Godwin is a killer. Now that he will be used properly, the only thing working against him is age and only that due to the enhanced specter of injury.
Can’t replace what Godwin has meant & continues to mean to this team.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Every player winning the SB gets over $160,000 each. It goes up every year, Jake. I don’t think these owners are miserly at all, BTW.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:10 pm
I decided to draft CG14 over DK Metcalf in my fantasy league this year.
Reason being is he is now HEALTHY, and this is a major contract year for Godwin.
I think he’s gonna want the ball more this year….
Hope he balls out and takes the Bucs back to the Super Bowl!!!!
August 26th, 2024 at 8:17 pm
Godwin will go the Evans route and take a hometown discount. He and Mariah love it here and and Mcmillian will only be in his 2nd year and will play outside to Godwin in the slot.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:17 pm
Jalen McMillan will replace Godwin.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:21 pm
It’s not a Godwin problem. The explosion in the WR salaries and his age versus a rookie stud contract are. I was shocked we kept ME. Same thought process. It’s risky to jetison the known commodity but just as risky to spend all that money on a guy who could deteriorate in seconds ala Jensen. Leave your homer love at the back door. Next young love affair walking in the front door for cheap. Make sure you recorded the pre-nup. Sure loved both those guys though. Loyalty only goes so far. You’d love to keep them, but they’ll walk out too for that hot new contract. Can’t really blame either side. Crazy TV money has ruined this for all. Chris will decide what he can settle for. I hope those talks are already underway.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:35 pm
I don’t see a high demand for Godwin in 2025. He will be an old 29 in 2025 with some bad injuries. Post injury he’s been a high end WR2 imo. Seems like he will make around what he’s making now per year in his new deal.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:39 pm
Saw that Russel Gage was cut by Ravens, pity. Guessing his knee was ruined
August 26th, 2024 at 8:39 pm
@BadBucs – Disagree the creation of true free agency ruined this for all.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:47 pm
I mean, I get what people are saying that he’s been a 1b or WR2, but does anyone really think the Chiefs won’t pay him a ton of money? What about a Panther’s team if they find their QB in Young? The Patriots? The Broncos? The Commanders? A LOT of teams don’t even have ONE guy on Godwin’s level. You could argue that the Falcons don’t. The Bills don’t with Diggs gone. How about the Packers?
If he wants to stay, I’m sure Licht will make the attempt, but don’t fool yourself that no one will pay him if he chooses to test the market, someone absolutely will.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:54 pm
Judging from preseason, Jalen McMillan is similar to Godwin (height, speed, hands and route running). I just don’t see the logic in keeping both.
Trey Palmer is a pure outside runner with speed to spread the defense. If Evan, Godwin and Trey are your basic 3 set WR group, then it leaves McMillian on the bench. So why pay Godwin 25K plus when you have a cheaper McMillian?
August 26th, 2024 at 9:08 pm
I think he has the same agent as C. Lamb. T. Dandy knows how to play hardball.
August 26th, 2024 at 9:16 pm
It will all come down to where the team is at. Are we in a window? If so then the Bucs make it happen. If not then they will let him move on.
August 26th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
QB/WR salaries have gone mad. I think it’s detrimental to the game. The disparity to other positions is thru the roof. I don’t believe it’s good for the game at all.
August 26th, 2024 at 9:30 pm
godwin is a beast and a GAMER
PAY THE MAN
August 26th, 2024 at 9:48 pm
There are always good wr in the draft at some point you have to have some turn over to spend in other positions love Godwin but love the bucs more. What alabamabucfan said is what I was thinking when they drafted McMillan. Go bucs!
August 26th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
I can only imagine what the Bucs would be if the drafted another wr and use that money they would have paid Godwin on a stud olb golly would that be fun to see.
August 26th, 2024 at 10:30 pm
We’re pretty deep at WR I think we will be fine if Godwin leaves next year. We have young WR that need to step up. The Godwin money can be used in a pass rusher.
August 26th, 2024 at 10:33 pm
Jason, you’re an idiot.
August 26th, 2024 at 10:52 pm
It’s great for CeeDee but it’s too large of a slice of the whole pie. This is why the Cowboys are so far away from a Super Bowl. Mike Evans is a team player and he wants to win. Baker is too. They realize and Licht is probably a good communicator of the fact that there is enough pie to go around and build a championship team. The Bucs are focused. Players are paid very well. They’re all working hard and in top physical condition. They want to win and they are going to win. The last me me me guy, D. White was sent packing. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick understood this and the Pats won championships. It amazes me that so many great players are too stupid to understand that to win it takes a good team, a team that has to be paid well and not just you. If you can’t survive and live comfortably for the rest of your life with $10 million, you’re an idiot. If you can’t do it with $20,40,100 million, there’s no words to describe the level of stupidity.
August 26th, 2024 at 10:53 pm
Godwin is a vacuum cleaner. Palmer is NOT, and we have no idea about McMillan yet
August 26th, 2024 at 11:21 pm
Jake been there since the beginning Says:
August 26th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
Huh? That’s an old story that may have held some water 15+ years ago. Zero evidence of that in the last 10 years.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:34 pm
Yes there are 20 WR’s better then Godwin no way he is a top 15 nfl WR I like Chris hope he’s stays but let’s be real here I’d probably give him 12-15 million per season at this point
August 26th, 2024 at 11:44 pm
If you think Chris is barely a 2, you were probably dropped on your head as an infant. Chris is a number 1 on many current nfl rosters.
August 27th, 2024 at 12:17 am
Why don’t we see what Godwin does in the first few games in the slot before we let him walk. He might blow up back in his own henyard.
August 27th, 2024 at 12:31 am
He’s a solid #2 and I love him, BUT he is nowhere near at Top-15 Receiver in the league. Now, that’s pretty laughable. Just open your eyes (and check your biases at the door) and start counting… LOTS of strong uber talented (young, long, and fast) WR’s in this league. A lot more than just 14 that you’d definitely pay before you’d pay HIM. 💯
August 27th, 2024 at 1:17 am
It depends on the sour cap next couple years and how far it goes up. The idea of paying 24 million per for receiver who’s not Mike Evans sounds ridiculous to me. Godwin has been great and does little things but McMillan, Palmer, and KAM Johnson Could all be that guy in the slot in the next year or two.
I know it’s a passing league so receivers are getting paid but at the same time, great game changing receivers seem to be coming out of college in droves, All the way thru round 3.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not want Godwin to go, but the money is going to matter
August 27th, 2024 at 2:35 am
Seedy Lamm never belongs in the same breath As Chris
August 27th, 2024 at 3:53 am
Good article! Makes us really think about all that money. It’s insane. They are going to keep going up and up.
Figured that Lamb would get a huge contract before their first game with the Browns and Brady being the host for that game. Agree with many comments, and do believe that Godwin will want to remain with the Bucs, similar to Evans and Mayfield. He is going to be 29 years old in February and has been with the Bucs since 2017. Jason will make it work for him too.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:15 am
Godwin reminds me of Jarvis Landry a lot, a workhorse WR who will get you the crucial first downs but doesn’t have the intangible attribute that star WR1s have. Anything more than 20-22m a year would have me concerned for a guy who’s reaching the end of the “prime” age of WR’s.
August 27th, 2024 at 5:02 am
I may have missed it, so I am going to say that Chris is just might one of the
most unselfish players on the team. One of the best blocking Wr’s in the league.
But if the knee is sound he will again be a weapon when is put in motion to supplement the running game.
August 27th, 2024 at 5:55 am
Agree bob in valrico.
Chris, and also Mike and Baker. And it seems that the team being built are all the same. Good guys and unselfish. No drama either. It’s perfect.
August 27th, 2024 at 7:05 am
@Jason, @JBF… I think Jason has it right.
Why do we think Godwin is any more than a WR2? He’s flashed, but for most of his career he’s had Mike Evans Occupying the mind of defensive coordinators across the league. Perhaps I need someone to define WR1 vs WR2? And yeah, Godwin has that utility guy aspect as well, he can block which fans didn’t realize was a HUGE deal in Arian’s offense, not sure if it’s as critical in Coen’s offense(?)
Ok, so the question is, you swap Kupp with Godwin on the Rams, with Stafford throwing to him, is he as good as Kupp? I use Kupp as an example because I think these guys’ games are so similar. Speed, route running, body types, ability to block. Frankly, I don’t know.
Any reason why Godwin is worth more than another $60M over 3 years? He wants more than that. Are we making the assumption he wants CeeDee Lamb money? smh. These contracts are out of control man. The sad reality, Godwin has maybe 1 MAYBE 2 more good years left in him. He will not be Mike Evans. Mike Evans has size that will grant him another couple of seasons. That aint going to happen with Godwin. $20M per in state that has no state tax? And you’re playing on a good team Chris! Do you really want to go to Carolina to be a WR1?
August 27th, 2024 at 7:22 am
Oh yeah, one more thing… if Godwin is balling and we’re middle of the road or less come trade deadline, similar to last season, which we were horrible btw. Licht would be stupid not to trade him for at least a 3rd Rounder.
This is simple GM logic. If you’re losing that means you need more pieces and not another contract on an aging veteran. You just drafted McMillan, and if healthy, I guarantee the kid will already be showing numbers by then. Additionally, you have some decent WR depth behind both Evans and McMillan. Keeping all those things into consideration and Godwin wants to be a $30M+ per year guy? You get calls before the deadline; you trade him for draft pick(s) vs letting him blow up the stat sheet for another 1K yard season and he walks for NOTHING.
Last season if teams were calling for Evans, and your 3-4…you’re either a moron of a GM to let a player walk at the end of the season and get nothing or you showed your hand and you’re 100% in on getting Evans back at any cost, which technically ended up being the case. You cannot let Chris walk if you’re being offered at least a 3rd rder by the trade deadline.
August 27th, 2024 at 7:24 am
This will be an interesting season, that is for sure. There could be another team that could want Godwin too. But I think he will remain a Buc after 2025. But who knows. I thought Shaq would too. The Rams wanted Mike Evans and thankfully he remained with the Bucs. They could end up reaching out to Godwin next.
August 27th, 2024 at 8:34 am
Yeah but think of the pass rusher you could get for that $….
August 27th, 2024 at 8:43 am
Wow, all these JBF “Keyboard” GM’s and Player personnel evaluators.
Godwin, has been a Stud WR in the NFL since he was drafted. That he has played with a HOF WR on the other side is a blessing.
Godwin has all the tools, to be WR1 or WR1a or WR2, Before we all anoint McMillan as the next great Buc WR2, could we all watch him play a full NFL Quarter of games? Or did everyone of the above. JBF “Keyboard” GM’s and Player personnel evaluators, put on their soothseer hats this morning. Anf are mixing up their ccouldrens of coffee to see what the grounds show at the bottom of their cups, and then make their proclamations?
It is my hope that we KEEP GODWIN.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
August 27th, 2024 at 9:23 am
i was thinking about the cd lamb situation over there many moons ago…
and i thought to myself…….
“dam i could see godwin in a cowboys uni next year, star on helmet”
the thought didn’t thrill me, but i can see jerry jones potentially going after chris
August 27th, 2024 at 9:28 am
At 29 years old the cee Dee lamb contract is irrelevant to him. If he returns they will pay him for what they think he will do not for what he did and it would be the ultimate disrespect to pay him more than Mike Evans or even equal to since he is average as an outside receiver and no not as crucial.
August 27th, 2024 at 10:59 am
The universe got a lot more stupid thanks to the maroons who think they know more than Jason.
August 27th, 2024 at 11:18 am
I get the value of free enterprise. I realize Chris literally places his body and health on the line every game. I admire Chris both for his game and his class off the field.
Still these stories just get on my nerves. 20 million a year for 3 years already?
CG14 is already fabulously wealth. If he wants to play in Tampa he can. If he wants money more than location he can easily leave for more. IF he leaves he’s dead to me. I won’t resent him I’ll just forget him. He has NO reason to leave the Bucs other than “pride” of where his salary slots against other WR’s.
I do not care or respect WR’s based on their salaries. I respect WINNERS. CG should be shooting for another SB more than worrying about $$$ at this point.
August 27th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
@Dave Pear…relax, it’s all a part of the JBF banter… you’ve been a fan long enough, you be surprised not being so intimately involved with some of these players, we sometimes have a better view of things…oh, and news flash… GMs make stupid f-ing decisions as well. Licht is far from perfect as a GM, in fact one would argue his reputation certainly has quite a bit of luck attached to it, whether it was dragging Arians out of retirement, which also included a just fired Jets head coach Todd Bowles to be def coordinator…then acquiring Tom Brady… and really, remove Tom out of the equation and 1. No Super Bowl 2. By this point he’s most likely fired 3. We are certainly not talking about him being a ring of honor member.
Keeping Godwin is a numbers game, especially if he wants North of $20M/yr. All those that don’t want to play GM, tell me how we make this team better, but also try to pay Godwin, whatever he thinks he’s worth as a WR1B? There’s cap, right? Bucs were real friendly this offseason paying everyone, everything that their were worth. Can they get creative with contracts?…sure, but in the end, that money cut into guaranteed bonuses still counts against the cap. The only reason why Licht would make bonus moves for cap purposes is if Licht thinks this is THE SEASON, because then he starts to mortgage future seasons to make that happen. Or you try like hell to have a more balanced cap roster, and that’s how you build a dynasty. Belichick might have had Tom Brady, but their staff was always pretty solid at rebuilding through the draft, then once they created a stud player who they knew wanted a kings ransom to stay in NE, they traded them off and got more draft capital. And yet, they still managed to build a Super Bowl roster, providing Tom enough tools that contributed to 6 Super Bowls… and it wasn’t all Tom, it takes a village.
I don’t see how paying 6/7 guys the King’s Ransom of the Cap out of a 53-man starting roster is going to build a championship. Bills and Dolphins are in that zone right now, and they’ve overspent to push that roster to the next level, see what happens when they can’t get past Mahomes.
August 27th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Godwin is a great possession receiver, a good tackle breaker on the quick screen and a great blocker. He is an ultimate gamer, an ultimate team player. Having a player with his intelligence and desire is difficult to measure in terms of ranking him.
The only thing that separates him from elite receivers is his ability to get open on deeper routes. He doesn’t have the ability to drive downfield against a good corner and then come back to the ball for an easy first down catch. Most of his catches are getting in between coverages in zones or mid level lateral routes.
As much as he was a complete moron/head case, if you watched Antonio Brown in his brief Buc career, he was the kind of receiver that could make those DB’s freeze and get easy first downs.
To my eyes that is what makes a receiver truly elite. They put fear in the corners and make the coordinators lose sleep over their ability to take over a tight game. That isn’t Chris and that is why he will not get that high dollar contract after the season.
He’ll be paid well put not upper end money for WR’s.
August 27th, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Here we go again, the usual BS about ungodly CG14 still playing for the Bucs. Nobody drafted Godwin when Licht almost had heart failure when he was still on the board in the later rounds. ME13 immediately took CG14 under his wings as a rookie. Look at their uni numbers, you idiots: 13 and 14. Godwin already showed what a steal he was from day 1 of preseason. He and HOF Evans are also buds off the field!! Godwin has a SB ring so what’s keeping him here? Mebbe it’s not greed so much in that he likes it here! He’s been honored as a great all-around, tough assed receiver. If he threw out the flag to split, how many teams would be screaming in answer??? Start guessing.
August 27th, 2024 at 3:22 pm
Don’t you DARE insult Chris Godwin by saying Fruitcake Antonio Brown is good enough to hold CG’s jockstrap! That goes for all the Methusaleh Brady crap on here, too. Bunch of imbeciles so I guess a lot of you have the brains of an AI machine.
August 27th, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Belichick spoke on Mcafee and said Taxachussetts (his words) had a special millionaire tax of $200,000. Florida’s no-state tax is worth more than most think. We need Godwin. Re-sign him!
August 27th, 2024 at 9:38 pm
Hope they sign Godwin again. 3 years $20 million per.