Adam Rank: Chris Godwin Should Leave Bucs
February 20th, 2025
Chris Godwin
So Tuesday word broke that Chris Godwin’s camp agreed with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to extend a deadline that would have forced a dead money hit on the Bucs’ salary cap.
This extension, right up to the free agency dinner bell on March 12, gave the Bucs two extra weeks to try hammer out a deal.
In Joe’s mind, that doesn’t happen unless the two sides were deep in talks or a contract was within reach. Otherwise, why else would a player’s agent agree to a contract negotiation extension?
One reason the Bucs may be motivated to get Godwin done soon is that he ought to be a very popular target on the open market.
NFL Network/NFL.com humorist (?) Adam Rank thinks Godwin needs to hit the open market. Rank doesn’t believe the Bucs need to bend over backward if Godwin hits free agency. Godwin will have a lot of cash thrown at him and the Bucs, Rank suggests, really don’t need him.
Therefore, Ranks types, Godwin should pack up and leave Tampa for greener grasses (and a greener check).
Godwin had an abrupt and devastating end to his 2024 campaign — dislocating his ankle in Week 7 — but he still figures to garner plenty of interest on the open market. And following his injury, Tampa Bay was forced to turn the page, with rookie Jalen McMillan really coming on late last season. One team that could be a really nice fit for the well-rounded Godwin: the Rams.
Joe is a big fan of Jalen McMillan. How could a Bucs fan not be? But with rookies, it’s always interesting to see how they adjust or if they can adjust. After an offensive player’s rookie season, defensive coordinators have all offseason to hatch ways to stop a player who in the final weeks of the previous season balled out.
Joe is very hopeful McMillan will continue to grow. But that’s not yet a done deal. Godwin brings excellence to the table. So Joe isn’t ready to allow Godwin to walk out the door if the Bucs and Godwin’s camp are within striking distance of a new contract.
Besides, after yesterday’s news, the Bucs can afford both Godwin and a top-shelf edge rusher for 2025.
February 20th, 2025 at 4:04 am
How much money can the Jags throw at him? Seems like a nice fit in Duvaaaal. Godwin was putting up insane numbers under Coen. The Jags would be my biggest concern to lose him to.
February 20th, 2025 at 4:21 am
How does anyone we know what Godwin brings to the table? This was he’s second major injury. Don’t get me wrong I like Godwin but I wouldn’t pay top dollar for him until he can prove he’s 100%. Just my view..
February 20th, 2025 at 4:43 am
“Besides, after yesterday’s news, the Bucs can afford both Godwin and a top-shelf edge rusher for 2025.”
Bingo!
Why lose depth in a critical position on the field? Godwin will end his career being second only to ME for the Bucs. A devastatingly effective blocker gives Grizzard all sorts of options on offense.
Get Godwin signed and then all focus can be on defense. Amiright?!?
February 20th, 2025 at 5:08 am
Spot on Joe!
Yet another so called expert who has no clue. Rank may want to call some actual eperts before forming these hot takes. Maybe Ira or one of the Joes?
Geez there is alot of stupid going around.
Go Bucs!
February 20th, 2025 at 5:11 am
“And the Bucs, Rank suggests, really don’t need Godwin”.
What sort of alternate reality is this guy operating in?
I respectfully submit:
Every team in the NFL needs a WR exactly like Chris.
For all of the reasons every Bucs fan on the planet already knows. No need to cover them here.
And once again, the Rams?
I covered that in a response to a post here on JBF.com yesterday.
Chris needs to be a Buc for life. The two week extension on his contract that he and the Bucs agreed to is a step in the right direction. Keep walking toward each other, folks.
February 20th, 2025 at 5:52 am
Ok in the same thought as McMillan may not progress
Goodwin may get hurt again. Two seasons he was lost to injury for more than half of season
Goodwin is not getting younger therefore the possibility of another injury is high
Goodwin is an excellent player abd a great Buc HOWEVER the money he will demand isn’t worth the risk of injury
February 20th, 2025 at 6:18 am
Agree with Rank. It’s best for both, and the extension is simply a band-aid. JL is trying to avoid the inevitable. Good luck Jason, but your gut says not to throw another massive contract on a player coming off his second major injury. His playing style is both an asset & a liability. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make this decision any easier. It’s best for both, stay firm with your offer, and if CG wants to give the hometown discount it’s up to him…
February 20th, 2025 at 7:00 am
We want Chris. We can afford Chris. Chris wants to be here. This is a no brainer.
February 20th, 2025 at 7:10 am
Chris Godwin would be a first string starter on an all Buccaneer all star team along with Mike Evans. You don’t let players like that just walk away anytime, but especially when the Bucs are a legitimate contender for another Lombardi trophy. Chris Godwin is right up there with the best of the best. His NFL career should be as a Buccaneer.
February 20th, 2025 at 7:20 am
It’s the dual threat of Evans and Godwin that keeps DCs up at night. Then you throw in McMillan, Otton, and Irving, and that’s a pretty deadly concoction. Keep Chris!
February 20th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Yeah, and I should have voted for Biden. Adam Rankin, shoo. Go away. Godwin stays.
February 20th, 2025 at 7:28 am
Hodad, I kind of think that the Jags are kind of like the Bucs in the decade of depression as well as the Browns and Jets of the past 20 years or so. Some free agents would go to such franchises simply to get coin and do not have the desire to win (DeSean Jackson, Swaggy Baker come to mind). Players who want to play on a competitive club probably want to avoid the dumpster fires of the NFL, it is not much fun playing for 3 dash 14 teams. Case in point, Myles Garrett.
If Godwin simply wants coin, yeah, the Jags would be a good fit. If he wants to be on a winner, the Jags probably will not be, at least while he is still in his prime. The same argument could be said for Carolina, though Canales had Carolina playing competitive ball in the latter half of 2024. I think Godwin would want to stay here, but if he jumps ship, perhaps a club who has made the jump to contender like the Commanders might make a run at Godwin. Go Bucs!
February 20th, 2025 at 8:00 am
I am willing to bet that his free agent market value is a lot less than his Buccaneers veteran value… when you consider his injuries… poor guy gets placed on the IR all the time.
And the poor Bucs and fans have to deal with scratching him off the game day depth charts far too often.
Unfortunately, if Godwin doesn’t take an injury discount, then the Bucs should use that money on several new WRs.
February 20th, 2025 at 8:04 am
It would be a lot to put on McMillan. It would be the proverbial “Hope “ he is a number 2 receiver. “Hope” has not created a pass rush for this team. So please don’t count on hope Jason. The buzz was Palmer would grow to a solid 3 last offseason, but he took major steps back. Keep Goodwin and address the defense sir.
February 20th, 2025 at 8:11 am
No way should we pay him 20 mil plus. Thats edge rusher money. I like CG, but hes had two bad injuries and those take a toll. Serviceable FA receivers are usually available. Dont do it. Use thfirst rounder for Golden or Egbuka if needed. Cheaper, younger and healthier.
February 20th, 2025 at 8:36 am
Damn yo so pack your family up and leave an offense that’s way better for a team not much better than the Bucs. Brilliant analysis from the so called big shots who are supposed to know what they’re talking about. Of course and as always if man calling the plays on the defensive side of the ball gets his ish together the team is a contender. Sorry we’re better and set up for long term success that’s an aging offense.
February 20th, 2025 at 8:44 am
Godwin will be back with a contract that is good for both sides, it’s what the Bucs do. F Adam Rank, he’s an unfunny comedian not a serious football analyst.
February 20th, 2025 at 9:43 am
[Do you also stand in front of restaurants telling people not to go in because you have never liked chicken parm? How about letting readers decide what they should like and/or dislike? We all have the free will to read or not read what we want. As always, Joe writes what Joe finds interesting. The very last thing Joe wants to be is a newspaper — they’re so successful and swimming in cash, aren’t they? If this story doesn’t rise to your standards, you don’t have to read it. Imagine! You know, ‘Merica! — Joe]
February 20th, 2025 at 9:46 am
We aren’t letting Godwin go. Hes a good person, good teammate and a great player. Drafting and FA’s are great but you never know what you are getting. We know what we have in Godwin and he needs to retire a buc. Evans, Godwin, and McMillan are an untouchable 1,2,3 WR grouping. AND as we just saw if there is an injury McMillan has proven he can step up to be a WR2 right now so this is not a position grouping we should mess with when we have so many other needs on defense.
February 20th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Not sure “letting go” is the apt phrase here.
While Godwin does have significant qualities, there are realities that wise businessmen (which the Glazers are) cannot overlook.
Many — not all, but many — wide receivers once they hit 30 hit the wall. The data is out there to find with a quick Google search. Yes there are exceptions one being Mike Evans. There are always exceptions.
Godwin is pushing 30 and twice in the past four years has had devastating injuries.
Am sure the Bucs have a ceiling on what they are willing to pay a top-shelf No. 2 receiver. Never forget football is a business and businessmen aren’t inclined to set a high market on receivers solely because they are nice guys.
So “letting go” isn’t the right phrase. It’s obvious the Bucs want him back. It’s also fairly clear the Bucs aren’t overly inclined to break the bank for him either.
It almost smells like Licht wants to see what sort of offers Godwin gets in the two-day legal tampering period because the new deadline for Godwin talks is March 12. Legal tampering begins March 10.
February 20th, 2025 at 10:14 am
It sure does sound to me that the BUCS would like to sign him. And it sounds mutual.
February 20th, 2025 at 10:15 am
Rank is a hack.
His fantasy picks every week suck.
Who the heck wants to live in LA? Wildfires, earthquakes etc,etc.
February 20th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Godwin could have gotten more money last time this process happened. Mike could have gotten more money elsewhere.
Chris isn’t going elsewhere. He wants to be a Buc and the Bucs want him to be a Buc. Moreover, Baker wants him to be a Buc. The Adam Rank’s of the world are maroons.
February 20th, 2025 at 10:19 am
Retaining Godwin means the team can get stringer at another position.
Besides. I selfishly want Godwin to be a forever Buc.
February 20th, 2025 at 10:29 am
I agree with Vanessa and others. Chris is well worth keeping. Besides, money may not be his total motivation. He does a lot in his foundation to help animals in Tampa and the community is behind him. Most of us love him and know he adds to our team.
February 20th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Wow, Joe. You took my remark way too personally. My comment was directed at Mr. Rank. I am fine with whatever is posted here, but you have to acknowledge that there is a ton of clickbait out there.
Much of what we process as “disrespect” for the Bucs is the residue of a sports media system that is populated with dilettantes and fanboys of the big teams.
But lesson learned, no more comments from me!
February 20th, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Batman ME13 needs his Robin CG14…. while the baby robin JM14 continues to learn from Batman and Robin…. The streets of Tampa will be safe again GO BUCS!
February 20th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
CG14 will sign a team friendly deal just like Baker did because he can see that with big defense improvements this Bucs team isn’t far from SB contention. Finally, the connection last year with Baker was great. Great receivers want the ball and with Baker, CG knows he will get it.
February 20th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
Cross-eyed Mary goes jumping in again
She signs no contract
But she always plays the game.
But Chris is different. He honors his words.
February 21st, 2025 at 12:09 am
I like how Joe makes the best comment on his own article. 😅