Cryptic Chris Godwin Comment From Todd Bowles
October 14th, 2024
This one had Joe head-scratching this afternoon, and it has nothing to do with the flea infestation at the Saints’ grimy old stadium.
So Bucs receiver Chris Godwin is having a monster season and in through the 2024 offseason, Todd Bowles was asked many times about Godwin looking great in practice and his return to slot receiver full-time.
At no time that Joe recalls (and Joe lives and breathes Bucs football 24/7) did Bowles ever talk about Godwin dealing with a personal issue that was helping to drive the veteran Pro Bowl receiver. But Bowles went there today.
This is Bowles’ verbatim comment after being asked to what he attributes Godwin’s “monster year,” and Bowles was asked about how Godwin is adding to the run game.
“He’s helping a great deal in the run game. I mean, he’s helping as much in the run game as he is in the passing game,” Bowles began. “He’s playing a great all-around type of play. His football game speaks for itself. Having fully motivated in the offseason — some personal things that I’m sure happened to him that he’s still motivated from — and he’s healthy, he’s competitive, he’s out there having fun. You know, he’s running, he’s catching, he’s blocking. You’re seeing the best of what Chris Godwin has right now.”
Whoa! So what are these “personal things” to which Bowles refers? Things, per Bowles, that are motivating Godwin months later?
It sure smells to Joe that Godwin asked for a contract extension (his deal ends after this season) and didn’t get one. And then the Bucs went out and drafted Jalen McMillan in Round 3 and publicly talked about how McMillan is a special a talent that could have been drafted earlier.
Joe is guessing, but Joe is following the money.
Perhaps Godwin got extra driven after being told he’d get no 9th and 10th Bucs season guaranteed until he proved himself in Year 8. Maybe he was told that ownership has closed the checkbook until 2025.
Whatever personal issue is driving Godwin, Joe is all for it. He’s been fantastic all season.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
PAY DA MAN!
October 14th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
If they don’t resign Godwin the team has no vision. He’s more important than Evans in future seasons given age, skill level, etc.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
“Joe is guessing”
Some of us call it starting gossip. A lot of “guessing” @ JBF
So misguided. Bowles is a very smart dude and a measured speaker. He put this out there, not Joe. It’s a loaded comment and Joe, who carries an opinion coveted by Bucs fans, shared an educated guess. You can call that gossip if you want, but it’s a mischaracterization.–Joe
October 14th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Didn’t Chris’ father pass away earlier this year?
October 14th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Pretty sure his dad passed away over the summer.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Not sure why you would stir up something you aren’t sure of Joe .
Maybe he had personal issues at home . Godwin deserves a new contracts much as anyone and to guess on something is just reckless reporting.
Since 2008, this has been an opinion-driven website. That should be obvious. There’s plenty of reporting, sure, but Joe shared an opinion here — and it was clearly structured as an opinion. Opinion writing has been part of Journalism in the United States for 200+ years. In fact, opinion used to be more transparent in the early 1900s as it is here now. Go read a newspaper front page from the 1920s or 30s, what some people consider a golden age of integrity. You’ll see quickly what Joe is talking about.–Joe
October 14th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
My favorite player behind Alstott. I love that I have Godwin swag that says 12.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
This is where having a $30 million quarterback instead of a $60 million quarterback helps you. Every team with a quarterback with a contract of a Dak Prescott can’t afford to pay their skill players
October 14th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
So what are these “personal things” to which Bowles refers?
…
It’s too bad football had to stop being about football.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
McMillan has been oversold. Have seen him catch a few and drop a few. No way will he ever pressure Godwin. Godwin is having a team MVP season.
October 14th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
Take notes Devin White. This is how you go out and EARN yourself a huge payday
October 14th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
@billlbuc
Journalistic integrity is not one of Joe’s strong suits.
Really? Joe’s archives are here for all to see and call to Joe’s attention. Happy to stand by what’s here and explain to anyone confused. The integrity code here is extraordinarily high. Fans who don’t like Joe’s opinions, that’s another animal and totally fine and expected.–Joe
October 14th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
It is what it is Godwin>Evans.
Godwin is a huge volume guy and Evans is off the field every other play..
October 14th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
We have to enjoy these contract years. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb got paid and are not producing this season.
October 14th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
Franchise Tag
October 14th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Last year tons of fans and so called ëxperts¨said that CG14 was not what he had been after his knee injury….Everybody said Bucs should draft a WR on second or third round…….
So now the guy is playing really well, and everybody is yelling pay the man!!!
Same with Mayfield, and Evans, and Winfiled and Wirfs and Lavonte….
There is a salary cap, so sadly there is no money for everybody as you well know….
So now what do you do?
October 14th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
He is finally healthy and being used properly.
October 14th, 2024 at 1:15 pm
I wonder if the “personal thing” was a personal one?
October 14th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Well you restructure some contracts and you keep Godwin…. Sorry to say but Mike’s streak of 1000 yard seasons may be coming to an end. I hope not, but you have a lot weapons. Would like to see the field being stretched, that is where Mike could make up yards in a huge way. Now that O-Line is getting healthy I hope to see some deep passes which will create more underneath stuff.
October 14th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Chris is only 28 and looks great. ME13 looks like he is dinged up or father time is catching up to him. I could see Bucs trading ME13 before the trade deadline to a AFC team in need and getting back a 1st and 2nd rounder.
October 14th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
How many years was ME13 here restructuring his contract and playing on el stinko Bucs teams? This was BEFORE Chris Godwin began making noise in college. Godwin is back to his pre-injury form, and he’s playing like it. He’ll be here next year. Plus, he and Evans are pals off-field. Man, I hope he got his grudge against the Aints scratched cos man, he beheaded them!
October 14th, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Funny guy BucsFan funny guy
October 14th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Integrity code? I spit my coffee out with that one. You should warn a guy!
October 14th, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Pay him, pay that man his money. – KGB
October 14th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
Bucsfan take a hike! Mike will never be traded.
October 14th, 2024 at 2:03 pm
They can pay him. The only question is how much he is willing to accept & whether or not he wants to stick around here. A good familiar organization (that drafted you), system, culture, city, QB, and no state income tax should be worth about $5MIL per, but if it is just all about the top end bottom-line ‘NUMBER’ he is looking for (that makes HIM ‘feel’ best), then we might be in for a loooong negotiation period, & road. You don’t want to have to ‘franchise’ him (that’s a BIG number), BUT you don’t wanna lose him for nothing by allowing him to walk, either. I was thinking (hoping) for more of a Mike Evans type of contract on the amount per season, but for more years… Well, he is now exceeding that easily, as of right now. At his current production he’s probably looking real real close to about 3/$90M out on the open market. What was his last one… 3/$60M!? Wide Receiver contracts have literally EXPLODED since then… But, he’s a little older now, & will get ‘dinged’ as being a slot guy. So, how bout a 3yr/$75MIL+incentives to stay right here in Tampa Bay, Chris!?
October 14th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
@Bucsfan
watch out on what you smoke bro…..Whatever it is is making you delucional-!!!
October 14th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Bowles comments about Godwins monster year were something I hadn’t seen before. And as a fan those tidbits of information are part of the mosaic formed in my estimation of the teams future. Verbatim quotes aren’t gossip, they’re food for thought. Thanks Joes. I’m always hungry.
October 14th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
To me it sounds like theres a contract ready to he signed but thats just me
October 14th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
ME13 will retire a buc. He ain’t going nowhere
October 14th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
Didn’t the guy have a death in the family not too long ago? I seriously doubt Bowles was talking about Money and contracts. These players have major stuff go on in their lives and are expected to just put it all on ignore…… Chris is a good dude and Bowles is extremely measured.
October 14th, 2024 at 2:29 pm
just remember anything is for sale at the right price-football is a business.
October 14th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
“Bucsfan” – The Bucs are absolutely NOT trading Mike Evans before the trade deadline. PERIOD. End of Story. Take that to the BANK. So, YOU could really “see” THAT happening!? THINK before you speak or type. Be Real. And furthermore… Do YOU really THINK they would get back a First AND a Second (if that was even happening in the first place, and it is NOT)!? Come-On, Man. Know the market. Know the circumstances (team record, schedule, and playoff position, Etc.). Know the TEAM. IF, they were ever going to do it, it would be sometime during the NEXT offseason.
October 14th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
As somebody who worked 20+ years in Journalism guys here questioning Joe’s integrity are full of it. Joe has been meticulously clear about his “opinion/editorializing” and his FACT based reporting. I don’t always agree with his opinion but ALWAYS respect it
I respect his Journalistic integrity more than any other Sports Journalist!
October 14th, 2024 at 2:54 pm
all this pumping mcmillan up hasn’t turned out to be sh!t…
so far duke ain’t doin’ sh!t…
godwin is the man………………facts!
October 14th, 2024 at 3:06 pm
Best hands and the most “physical” receiver on the team 👍🏼.
I have concerns about ALL of our receivers after the last few games tho.
We don’t seem to be able to get much “separation” . Way too many tight window throws for Baker to make.
October 14th, 2024 at 3:14 pm
It was the Saints that made it personal. Their cheap shot ended his 21 season.
October 14th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41553106/tampa-bay-buccaneers-chris-godwin-hot-start
Most likely the personal issues alluded to by Bowles
Hard to say. Bowles referenced something motivating Godwin. Grief can take people in many directions. –Joe
October 14th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
Adam agrees with Adam. McMillan’s hype isn’t matching the performance.
He kinda like the Harry Potter movies: everyone goes on and on about how great they are but then you watch and say, “Yeah so?”
October 14th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
His dad died.
Besides, franchise tag.
October 14th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
If everyone is allowed to have an opinion .. will you end my shadow ban now?
October 14th, 2024 at 3:48 pm
Cobraboy Says:
October 14th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
He kinda like the Harry Potter movies: everyone goes on and on about how great they are but then you watch and say, “Yeah so?”
Read the books. They are way better
October 14th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
Jenna Laine had a story out ahead of last weeks Thursday night game about Godwin Losing his dad. I bet that was fresh in Bowles mind when saying that.
October 14th, 2024 at 4:14 pm
“Joe is guessing”
Some of us call it starting gossip. A lot of “guessing” @ JBF
So misguided. Bowles is a very smart dude and a measured speaker. He put this out there, not Joe. It’s a loaded comment and Joe, who carries an opinion coveted by Bucs fans, shared an educated guess. You can call that gossip if you want, but it’s a mischaracterization.–Joe
—————————
Educated guess?
It’s gossip – lol.
Mischaracterization is what you are doing with Bowles words Joe, not what I’m doing by pointing it out.
In reality, Joe quoted Bowles verbatim so there would be no mischaracterization. Other media outlets clean up quotes for clarity and sometimes inject what they think was said so reading is smoother. Joe tries not to do that (but Joe sometimes uses a transcription from Bucs media relations, which cleans up quotes). –Joe
It’s ok to have an opinion/rumour/gossip blog. If Joe wanted to traffic in rumors, Joe would have a daily rumors page or a twice-weekly rumors column. You’d be surprised by all the rumors that come to Joe via off-the-record information and various sources. That’s not what this site is about. Heck, if this site was what you claim it to be, Ira Kaufman wouldn’t work here. He’d have taken one of the many other offers he’s had through the years. –Joe
Just wish you’d stop trying to pretend you’re some kind of factual resource when you repeatedly propose educated guesses, reading between the lines, hunches, and generally replacing the words people say with what you THINK they really meant.
Tens of thousands of fans come here daily because it is a factual resource, in addition to being eager to read Joe’s opinion. –Joe
October 14th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
If it’s a choice between paying Dean or Godwin, to me the answer is obvious. Licht is good at drafting DB’s and Bowles is good at coaching them up. Let Dean go, keep Godwin. I bet Mayfield would even be willing to restructure to get Chris signed.
October 14th, 2024 at 4:24 pm
Bucs would be Fools to let him getaway. Extend the man….
October 14th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Irishmist
I’d say Licht was about 50/50 on drafting DBs…
October 14th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
If Godwin is not traded by the deadline, then just like Evans during last season, Jason Licht will be extending Chris Godwin no matter what. Why? Because he would be a terrible GM to allow Godwin to walk for nothing? Why would we build Godwin’s stock up, and then let him walk in free-agency and get nothing in return for him. It doesn’t make any business sense. The only other scenario is that we think we can go all the way to the Super Bowl, so it’s worth not trading Chris, so that he can help us win the big game, but he still walks in free agency.
October 14th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Joe is doing his work again. Lol
October 14th, 2024 at 4:56 pm
J Mac dont have anything on Godwin. Nowhere near as physical. Godwin is going to get a massive contract somewhere.
October 14th, 2024 at 4:58 pm
He needs to retire a Buc
October 14th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Simple Joe, just ask Godwin when you get a chance what Bowles was referring to. You are a reporter after all, not a gossip columnist?
October 14th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
In the fish wrap they have an “Editorial page” clearly marked. Seriously are guys here not smart enough to know when Joe is giving opinion and when he’s reporting? Does he need to spoon feed us line by line because we’re too damn dumb to figure it out?
October 14th, 2024 at 5:44 pm
BTW I Don’t always agree with anybody’s opinion but I always try to judge opinions by their quality. EG I wonder if Todd Bowles has slept with some posters wives. THAT produces idiotic opinions. I’ve disagreed although rarely with Joe’s opinions because he PUTS IN THE WORK!
October 14th, 2024 at 5:44 pm
I can’t recall seeing author responses to comments here before, and certainly not to the frequency seen here.
They are mostly defending accusations of gossip. That Joe is having such a reaction is telling of the emotional investment that is perhaps better off absent in journalism?
Joe always responds to misrepresentations of Joe’s business, and often when readers ascribe motives or agendas to Joe’s writing. Been doing it for many years. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen often. In this case, it’s not malicious misrepresentation. Not yet, anyway.–Joe
This response isn’t meant as a criticism, just a reflection for Joe. You do good work and maybe there’s just an element of this story that seemed to hit a boundary.
October 14th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Phone typing..no power yet. Always respect Joe’s opinion because of his hard work and connections and sources.
October 14th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
nothingburger…
October 14th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Joe Says:
🤣🤣🤣
I mean, seriously, this is nowhere close to true. This site engages in constant groundless speculation, reading between lines, assuming agendas and conflicts, trying to make every innocent statement meaningful. This is what Joe would consider a malicious attack. But Joe will allow it here. Regular readers know that’s nonsense and the archives are here. Just look at every post of the last week, as an example. –Joe
It’s okay. People still like it, but it’s only partially a factual resource.
October 14th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Chris is back . His acceleration after catch and his strength are the best I‘ve ever seen since he’s been a Buc. He is the kind of receiver that will not run out of bounds or slide. He is playing so hard. I hope Evans can get back into form. The Bucs need his big plays.
October 14th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
Joe come on man….
“Mischaracterization is what you are doing with Bowles words Joe, not what I’m doing by pointing it out.
In reality, Joe quoted Bowles verbatim so there would be no mischaracterization.”
You quoted what he said verbatim then proceeded to tell us what you thought it meant....Joe will end your comment here and cut you off. You are exactly right. Joe does this at times when there’s a lack of clarity. Essentially, Joe answers the question, “What do you think Bowles meant?” as if it came from a fan asking Joe at a bar or a game. Not sure why you think this is an issue. Coachspeak is real, as is playerspeak and GMspeak. That’s partly why some of the offseason is nicknamed “lying season.” Tom Brady came out and said 90 percent of what he tells media is BS. Joe has talked to players about this privately, and team officials of various teams at league events. Yes, when Joe thinks educated interpretation is relevant and interesting, Joe weighs in and makes sure readers know it’s an opinion. –Joe
October 14th, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Well, well, well… I like the insight gleaned through experience, proximity, and understanding of the subject and subjects. If anyone in here is naive enough to not realize that journalism thrives on conjecture to flesh out the truth, you have been sleepwalking since the advent of the world wide web. And if you come on this site (and post 5+ times) daily and you don’t realize that it a blog by some dudes who share our interests in the bucs ( a sport team, not international news) and pass along insight with opinion, you are stupid
October 14th, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Joe, thx for keeping it interesting. Btw, I don’t fault ownership for wanting to kick the tires (and he is being pd handsomely to have his tires kicked) before forking over a mint to a player whose season ended early with a significant injury last season. Tires kicked, this no lemon, pay da man, cuz he’s getting me pd in ff!!
October 14th, 2024 at 8:18 pm
mike and CG are bucs for life
October 14th, 2024 at 8:20 pm
Invariably, these BS comments are made by usernames I’ve never seen before. Not sure how much grief it would entail, but it would be nice if this here website would have stored logins, to prevent people from creating BS usernames every 5 minutes
October 14th, 2024 at 8:23 pm
“If anyone in here is naive enough to not realize that journalism thrives on conjecture to flesh out the truth, you have been sleepwalking since the advent of the world wide web.”
Some of us are just looking for something more honest. Just because opinion and gossip are rampant in entertainment pretending to be journalism doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. The line gets real blurry between truth and fiction when people start filling in the blanks, reading between the lines, guessing, speculating, etc etc . Some of us trying to hold down on the honesty front cause people are forgetting what it means.
In the end it’s Joe’s prerogative tho. I appreciate that he posts @ least some/most of the comments critical of this approach to writing
October 14th, 2024 at 8:23 pm
The joe hate is misplaced. More homer than hater for sure.
These attacks are WEIRD
October 14th, 2024 at 8:31 pm
Its not about the money, its because of his fathers death. He spoke about it on ESPN.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:19 pm
Well the coach did say personal THINGS, so it’s not just one thing. It could be all of the above. Contact year, father passing, injuries, etc.. Whatever it is, he is ballin. He is gonna get paid. Personally I think they will find a way to keep him. I bet he takes a team friendly deal..just like everyone else. This team is finally a team players want to play for. But I bet it’s gonna be a struggle cuz he is gonna want to get paid. Whatever it is I hope the best for the dude. Class act.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:31 pm
Godwin has been the best WR on the team
This year hands down. I love Evans but he hasn’t been as good this year as past seasons. Maybe he is injured or Father Time is starting to catch up with him.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:38 pm
Joe, I heard what you said.
I’ve heard what you’ve defended and I’ve seen a lot of of the other comments. I would just say if you have to defend yourself that many times, you’re probably in the wrong here.
The team is flying high, things are looking up, weapons all over the field, there was probably no reason for this. I don’t believe you’re “stirring the pot” or spreading rumors. You’re just speculating, I get it, but bad time for it.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:51 pm
His father passed away during this last off season, pretty sure. I know I’d get out there and play with some extra fire too. Happy to see him balling out. He works hard and deserves it.
October 14th, 2024 at 11:24 pm
I think it was very obvious here, that Joe was only giving HIS opinion and asking questions, while allowing ‘others’ the chance to express THEIR OWN thoughts on the topic at hand. Isn’t that what this IS… I mean, what else are we doing here!? Geez.
October 14th, 2024 at 11:31 pm
It was probably the death of his father in the offseason.
Lack of contract extension / drafting J-Mac possibly could add some additional fire… But I dont think Bowles would characterize it the way he did if it was just about contract motivation.
October 15th, 2024 at 12:54 am
Hey Joe, normally don’t comment but I know godwin has been talking about his father passing on his Instagram. Could be a pretty strong motivation
October 15th, 2024 at 3:33 am
That is just plain wrong Joe. I do not care what it may be.
For a coach to go personal in Public is wrong! Works for players and coaches alike! Bowles does himself no favors with that BS!
Leave the contract talk to the folks who are doing the actual talking and keep the rest on the football side of things.
I think everyone who has a clue knows CG has earned a payday. That comment serves no purpose other than muddying the waters and if I am Jason Licht…Me and Todd are having a meeting…Today!
Go Bucs!
Go Bucs!
October 15th, 2024 at 5:56 am
Nothing like stirring up a little pookie from time to time. It keeps things ‘fresh’.
October 15th, 2024 at 7:10 am
To me, the term “personal” means “none of our damn business.”. It “could be” a lot of things that are motivating him. Contract stuff? Maybe. His wife offering a little more in the “off the field performance” department based on his on-field performance? Maybe.
As long as he plays like he’s been playing, I’m good.
October 15th, 2024 at 8:49 am
Remember, last year ba.ker sucks dink & dunk he sucks we ain’t paying he 30 or 40 million Godwin lost a step he not the same we need to draft a new receiver even Godwin’s wife had to remind bout her husband now look dink & dunk away Bakers so now the cheapest QB in the league except the rookie QB’s see’s contracts now u say pay Godwin u people r back stabbing nasty pretty worthless bunch of whiners.
October 15th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
This kind of article is best left to a sport’s edition of the National Enquirer. Perhaps if its author had subtitled the header (Speculation in an Effort to Generate Hits), it might have been better received.
October 15th, 2024 at 7:20 pm
Keep defending yourself Joe. Most here know you’re right and have a right to defend yourself EVERY time you’re attacked. Who out there doesn’t? I’m certainly glad Trum p does. F ’em Joe, keep swinging
October 15th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Extend him now, or wait until the off season and pay 1.5 times more after he breaks 1,100 yards and maybe gets a pro bowl nod.