ESPN: Bucs Have “No Concern” Over Chris Godwin’s Injured Ankle
February 13th, 2025
Bucs plan to be aggressive.
It seems the Bucs are very confident that free agent wide receiver Chris Godwin’s surgically repaired ankle will be 100 percent.
That’s the word from Jenna Laine of ESPN. In a notebook column of top free agents, Laine reports the Bucs will do their best to bring Godwin back and that his ankle is not an issue.
Will the Bucs re-sign WR Chris Godwin?
Let’s just get this out of the way now. Sources told ESPN the Bucs absolutely want Godwin back and will do everything in their power to make that happen, with no concern about his recovery from a dislocated left ankle in Week 7.
Of course, there is precedent for them with this, having rewarded him with a three-year deal worth $60 million after he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in 2021. Still, conversations must be had and pen still has to hit paper. But it’s clear how the Bucs feel about him.
Of course, saying they will do everything in their power to bring Godwin back and actually re-signing him are two different things.
It’s common for wide receivers to begin tailing off in production once they turn 30. Godwin turns 29 in two weeks. So Godwin is likely looking at one last chance for a big bite at the NFL apple.
It’s awfully tough to find work at $20 million a year outside the NFL and that’s very likely to dry up on Godwin in a few years. So the Bucs are going to have to show him the money to be able to keep him. Especially when Washington, less than two hours from Godwin’s hometown (and also his wife’s hometown), may throw a bank at Godwin to pair up with Terry McLaurin.
This is why Joe is fascinated to see what Josh Grizzard has in store.
If the new Bucs offensive coordinator is going to have a run-first offense, it might be difficult to convince Team Glazer that the Bucs need two $20+ million receivers.
February 13th, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Godwin is our best blocking WR on the team, not to mention the 2nd best receiver ever drafted behind Mike Evans for tampa. He’s not going anywhere.
February 13th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Well it won’t be about spending the money! It’s be about spending the CAP $$
“it might be difficult to convince Team Glazer that the Bucs need two $20+ million receivers.”
I think it’s how much the Glazers trust Jason and Todd and surely Griz will have had some input with those latter two.
They are GOING to spend the money regardless so it’s just a question of Cap management going forward. How much will Baker be worth after next season.
What will Calijah’s contract look like in a few years.
I think it’s a question with NO correct answer. I lean to dumping it in CG14’s corner. If he makes say…15 million instead of 20 million how does that impact his overall wealth? Since he has already earned 60 million + 15 more that’s a potential 75 million instead of 80 million or 6.2% less than the 20 million deal.
It’s all impossible for normal people to comprehend! The considerations between 75 million or 80 million. Those are just mind boggling numbers.]
This should be an interesting question right up until CG14 signs a new deal.
No real, right or wrong answer, very debatable from both sides, depending on the money! Hometown discount or not?
February 13th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
^^^^ agreed
February 13th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Maybe there will be another cap increase this year?
February 13th, 2025 at 4:21 pm
I think they’re on the hook for 18m whether he stays or goes in dead $ – so what’s another 2m – that’s why I think there’s so much confidence he’ll be back. Now, if “El Serpiente” gets involved all bets are off
February 13th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
Hope he’s back!
Someone dropped a highlight package of his first 7 weeks on X the other day. He is like Mike in the sense that he doesn’t look the fastest, he doesn’t have phone booth juking ability but he is so good at what he does.
He gets north immediately and maximizes yardage almost every time he touches the ball. It’s really incredible. Multiple times in the video a defender squares him up but is waiting for a juke and Godwin never slows to try a move, just runs past the guy.
I realize I watch him every week, it just really stood out in the highlight package.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
I call bull. I think he’s heading out…unless he agrees to a prove it contract.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Joes and Ira have talked about this multiple times. If they want one of their guys they make sure and sign him. Plus he fits the “Lavonte David” what a Buc man is. Those type of players and the attributes they have been drafting for, Godwin matches that. He’s been one of the faces of the organization. No way they let him walk unless he can’t walk. Even then I could see them keeping him.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Neither do I.
He won’t break the Bucs and is looking to win more SBs.
Will always be a Buc.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
I think he likes the culture of the franchise and this has been his only home as a pro. I would be very surprised if he left.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
I DON’T GET IT …
The Bucs made the playoffs the last 3 years with CG missing significant time.
The Bucs need an Edge, LB, and CB
The Bucs don’t need WR
Licht is amazing at drafting WR
CG (and his wife) have clashed with Bowles
CG is not a #1 but wants #1 money
JMac filled in brilliantly for CG
Why make CG a priority? Why not use the money elsewhere?
February 13th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
On another topic, do the Joes have any info on what’s going on with finalizing the coaching staff? At this point, the only one officially announced has been Grizz, though we know they’ve added the Kefense dude from Oregon State as pass game coordinator and Strong as DL coach. The only reason they would not officially announce these other additions yet is that they usually wait until they’ve completed the staff, and then announce all at once. This makes me think there’s still some things brewing on Bowles defensive staff, which would be nice, because it seems they need a shakeup over there. I keep scanning the usual Bucs sites for anything on this, but it’s all quiet. It’s taking a while to finalize.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Sign him!
February 13th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
3 years – $50M – $20M Guaranteed – with multiple incentives worth up to $4-5M per year on top…..
February 13th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
SlyPirate – You’re using too much logic. That’s prohibited.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Cool. Even if Godwin is healthy and returns I still would like to see the Bucs add another solid WR via free agency or the draft.
I am not overly excited about Shepard, Palmer, Miller or Jarrett…
Plus we only have one solid TE.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Baby come back!!! This is where you all your efforts put that awesome ring on your finger and we love you here. Through the thick and thin..
February 13th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Yes lets let one of our best players go so we can let Super Todd waste the money on more players for the bad defense thats clearly not going to get any better with Super Todd at the helm. Makes perfect sense.
February 13th, 2025 at 5:07 pm
Sign Tee Higgins and let the injury prone Godwin walk.
February 13th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Man I’d like to see Godwin back but really feels like this free agency should be focused on our defense.
And come on couch fan, it’s Super Bowles!!!
February 13th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Dude has an unmatched work ethic love him!
February 13th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
The bucs always need a third option if Mike is the first Godwin is the second jmac is the third Godwin can do it all
February 13th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
If we DON’T sign Godwin, he’ll have something like a 16 or $18 million capl hit this year, which means no free agent linebackers as we still have a $28 million dead money towards Jensen and Shaq this year
February 13th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
Have a great 1 and 2 and then a reliable 3rd is great for any qb need to replicate our last sb squad
February 13th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Awesome news….we need you Chris!!!!
February 13th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
@ Beeej
You are correct…
Another good reason to re-sign Godwin if he is healthy and ready to go.
I believe the Bucs would take @ $19M dead cap space hit (according to OTC) if Godwin leaves.
February 13th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Chris is a Buc for life. And it’s true, given the defense and no changes in philosophy or scheme, no defensive coordinator, Bucs are gonna need 35ppg from Griz to match last year’s win total. Chris was on fire before the Ravens ‘ Roquan Smith committed the dirty and illegal hip drop on Chris and wasn’t penalized or fined. I will smile whenever that Mo had to be hospitalized.
February 13th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
There’s a team in Jacksonville who might want him.
February 13th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Its an $18.5M cap hit for Godwin before he even signs no matter what. That $18.5M MUST be paid.
Bucs can kick the can down the road a couple more years on that $ if they want by re-signing Chris and working it into the deal – but don’t think that amount of debt goes away…..
February 13th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
CG is staying home just like ME13 did – they are the best duo in the game and want to play their entire career together – with Bucky, white, tuck, Otten, McMillan and hear me – Devin Culp is gonna shine next year – we are absolutely loaded at all skill positions
No way in heck we let CG walk – this is a SB level O
February 13th, 2025 at 7:14 pm
Didn’t Tampa give Gage 10 million?
They will find a way to pay CG
February 13th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Slypirate
You must be forgetting the brilliance of Sterling Shepard on n the field..
Knack came on at the end, I wouldn’t call it stellar.
CG is an awesome talent and has genuine as they come.
February 13th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Cool of Bucs to give him that endorsement w/no contract.
Good stuff. Godwin has been a class act
February 13th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
@ Pick
That is correct.
The dead cap money doesn’t just go away but the Bucs can defer most of it – which will help our current cap situation.
February 13th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Unless there’s a global pandemic about to break out, very likely will be an increase. There always is (sans a global pandemic).
February 13th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Pickgrin
You’re waay better than me with contracts and the cap.
IF CG14 decides to take more money somewhere else do the Bucs still have to pay? Is that 18.5 million able to be used by his new team to subsidize the amount. IE they pony up 10 million and CG gets 28.5 million.
Or is the 18.5 more like a contract extension which he can void if he wishes more money somewhere else.
Seem like a horrible rule if the Bucs have to pay and end up with nothing for his services if there no right to make him play or sit out for that 18.5 mil.
February 13th, 2025 at 9:02 pm
$20 mil a year outside football.
He could start an NGO… 😉
February 13th, 2025 at 10:22 pm
Good one Conbra!
February 13th, 2025 at 10:23 pm
stpetebucsfan Says:
February 13th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Dead money is dead because it’s already been paid, but it hasn’t hit the cap yet due to deferments (via void years)… Since the 18.5 mil has been paid, it has to hit our cap sooner or later, no exceptions. If not, people could play games forever and the cap would be a total joke… Other teams do not absorb another team’s dead cap hits if they sign a free agent.
The good news, the only relief on dead money, is that if the Bucs sign Godwin to an extension before free agency, they can spread that 18.5 over the length of the new contract. If they don’t sign him until he actually hits free agency, they eat the entire 18.5 cap hit in 2025. At the same time, if his new contract averages 20 mil per year over 3 years, that means his cap hit would be 26 mil per year, which is a little hard to swallow.
If this were purely about numbers, it would probably make sense to let Godwin walk. But it’s not all about that.
February 13th, 2025 at 10:37 pm
A healthy Chris and this Offense is SB level, no matter what happens at G
February 13th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
JL secure Chris and go get an Edge .. LFG
February 13th, 2025 at 10:47 pm
spbf – that $18.5M represents dummy years added onto the end of Godwin’s previous contract. The Bucs used Godwin’s deal to gain a bunch of extra cap space during Brady’s final year. Godwin got his money long ago – now its time to pay the bill. There’s no deferring to other teams if Chris goes elsewhere and there’s no way around paying that $18.5M this year – UNLESS the Bucs defer the payment even farther down the road – which they can manage by re-signing Godwin and including that $18.5M (which has already been spent) into the new deal.
For example – If Godwin does sign a deal like I suggested with the Bucs – 3 years, $50M – $20M Guaranteed – + incentives… It might break down something like this:
2025 – $16M cap hit (+incentives if earned)
2026 – $26.25M cap hit (+incentives if earned)
2026 – $26.25M cap hit (+ incentives if earned)
February 14th, 2025 at 1:13 am
The Bucs would have gone deep in the playoffs with Godwin in the lineup. They would have beaten Atlanta twice, as well as KC and Dallas. People forget Godwin was leading the league in most categories for WRs, including Mike Evans, when he was injured. Chris Godwin is essential to winning the division for the fifth consecutive season. He makes a difference. Just ask Baker Mayfield how he feels. His opinion is the one that counts.
February 14th, 2025 at 1:20 am
Umm Yeah
BSPN the leader in sports BS…
Geez
Go Bucs!
February 14th, 2025 at 5:53 am
FilthyAnimal and Pickgrin
Thanks for that education. It’s one of the things I love about JBF. Lots of well informed posters here!
FilthyAnimal love your moniker. Who can read it without thinking Home Alone and the guy in the movie calling out “Filthy Animal”. The only one perhaps better is the guy who stole a name from one of my all time favorite SNL skits.
Colonel Angus. I can still see Amy Pohler dressed up as the Southern Belle proclaiming all the ladies LOVE ColonelAngus.
February 14th, 2025 at 7:54 am
The concert should be about overpaying for a body that’s continuously getting major injuries. Godwin is similar to Dean, if he played all 17 games, he’s well worth the investment but if you avg his pay over the actual number of games he’s playing, he’s grossly overpaid
February 14th, 2025 at 8:32 am
Godwin will be back and the offense will be top 3 in the NFL. No matter whom the Bucs bring in on defense the defense will still be one of the worst in the NFL. Coach Bowles scheme does not work at a high level in the NFL any longer.
February 14th, 2025 at 8:34 am
the offense looked like the best in the league at times last year, those times happened w CG on the field. He is a seasoned pro who has rehabbed from worse before. Sign em
February 14th, 2025 at 10:35 am
uh oh. the siren call of hometown. that being said, i sure as hell wouldn’t want to go ‘home’