ESPN: Bucs Won’t Use A Franchise Tag (Again) On Chris Godwin
February 18th, 2025
Decision.
The reason why most people — including Joe — have never mentioned Chris Godwin getting franchise tagged is that if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht tagged Godwin for the third time, Team Glazer might start wondering who spiked Licht’s coffee.
If a player is tagged by a team three times, per the NFL’s bargaining agreement with the NFLPA, that player would have to be paid 144 percent of his previous season’s salary. Thus, Godwin’s 2025 salary under a third tag would be in the $29 million ballpark.
The Bucs have already tagged Godwin twice.
But, unless told otherwise, Licht just might have a lapse of reason. Per Jenna Laine of ESPN, her Bucs sources told her as much as the Bucs want Godwin back, paying him $29 million is unthinkable. So no, the Bucs won’t tag Godwin as tag season gets underway today.
… They used the tag as a placeholder the last time Godwin was a free agent (in 2022), and they used it on him in 2021, so this would be his third time being tagged — therefore it would have to be a 144% raise, and I’m told there is “no chance” of that happening. They’ll do what it takes to re-sign him as a free agent.
The Bucs are unlikely to tag anyone. At the price and salary cap hit to tag a player, he pretty much has to be one of the top players at his position. No pending Bucs free agent is close to that, with the exception of Godwin.
If fact, no team in the NFL is expected to use the tag this season.
The tag window is open from today through March 4. The free agency dinner bell rings the following week.
February 18th, 2025 at 4:34 am
I love Godwin but will he make it through a season healthy?
He will demand 4yrs 20+ a yr ..
Can we move on yet?
Should we move on yet?
Will he return to form?
Does the offense need him? Or maybe another te and young wr..then us that money to beef up the dline?
I’m say keep Godwin but hope it’s the right decision
February 18th, 2025 at 4:57 am
Ouch!
Jason Licht has a very tough job at times. Danged if you do and Danged if you don’t. Hope he can get him back.
Go Bucs!
February 18th, 2025 at 5:04 am
if he wants to stay here he will work with us on a deal like mike has always done.
February 18th, 2025 at 5:11 am
I have no problem with 4 years at $20M per year as long as the Bucs have a means to get out of it if it doesn’t work out. Put all or most all of the guaranteed money in years 1 and 2.
February 18th, 2025 at 5:50 am
The time to do a deal with Godwin was last year. They should’ve locked him up with a three year deal then. Instead we let him hang with no future money, and he gets hurt. If I was Godwin I’d be pissed the Bucs let me play on my last year, and my career could’ve ended. There’s a team up in Duvaaaal that could use a Godwin to go along with Thomas Jr. I would not blame Godwin one bit if e follows Coen up the coast.
February 18th, 2025 at 7:05 am
The issue with Godwin is no different than Dean…..for what they’re being paid vs the number of games you get from them is a terrible value. Godwin plays a very physical style that is taking its toll. At 29, you have to be realistic in how his body will hold up. I believe the Bucs would love to have Godwin take over whenever Evans retires but he’s accumulated several serious injuries, how much do you pay for that AND what is another team willing to pay? This might be his last big bag, guaranteed cash is going to be hard to say no to.
February 18th, 2025 at 7:22 am
A team friendly deal doesn’t necessarily have to deal with the cash but rather how the contract is structured.
February 18th, 2025 at 7:23 am
Bobby M. Says:
February 18th, 2025 at 7:05 am
The issue with Godwin is no different than Dean…..for what they’re being paid vs the number of games you get from them is a terrible value. Godwin plays a very physical style that is taking its toll. At 29, you have to be realistic in how his body will hold up. I believe the Bucs would love to have Godwin take over whenever Evans retires but he’s accumulated several serious injuries, how much do you pay for that AND what is another team willing to pay? This might be his last big bag, guaranteed cash is going to be hard to say no to.
^^^^^^^^
The difference I saw (or think I saw): Godwin’s foot was pointing in the wrong direction (definitely injured), Dean looked like he got his feelings hurt in the playoff game. Big difference, IMHO.
February 18th, 2025 at 7:25 am
I love Chris and am grateful with his effort and loyalty to our team. The reality is he is getting older and has two major (not his fault) leg injuries. The line in the sand is $18m, which is his dead money hit. Anything over that would be foolish and risky for the Bucs. 3 years, 60m like his last contract should do the job, but if he wants to chase money elsewhere, best of luck. Business is Business
February 18th, 2025 at 7:26 am
I said this back in December wherever Coen goes Godwin is going to go with him. Sucks but Coen had him putting up insane numbers and they have the money to spend on him. I don’t want to lose him at all but writing has been in the wall for quite some time.
February 18th, 2025 at 7:38 am
I keep seeing these idiotic posts about Godwin bring ‘injury prone’. Precisely WHICH exercise regimen allows your legs to be bent 90 degrees sideways? He plays in the middle, goes with the territy
February 18th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Hope he stays but can see where he would be a very valuable asset to the Jags.
February 18th, 2025 at 8:03 am
Hodad
“The time to do a deal with Godwin was last year.”
And as the song goes “that was yesterday and yesterdays GONE”.
Without trying to be snarky I honestly do not understand your point.
February 18th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Agreed Beeej! Dean is injury prone. Godwin has just been unfortunate with his two major injuries.
February 18th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Godwin is by far one of my favorites! He’s a first-down machine and there is no one more reliable on 3rd and 4th down. Will he recover from the last injury is the question? Godwin like Evans has made close to $100 million playing for the Bucs. Does he want to finish out his career here for a little less or get one last big payday?
February 18th, 2025 at 8:22 am
$20M a year is way too much, may have to let him walk. Bucs need so much help on defense it would be crazy to pay a guy that can’t make it through the season. Defense needs to be the main focus this year, getting impact Free Agents and the draft.
February 18th, 2025 at 8:28 am
I love Godwin but as others have said, he gets injured a lot it seems. Personally, I think Licht is very good at drafting certain positions and wide receiver is one of them. I’d either sign him to a reasonable 2-3 year deal and draft someone or let him walk and draft someone. I wouldn’t break the bank.
February 18th, 2025 at 8:56 am
i think we retain Godwin. We know what we are getting and letting him go just creates another hole. By signing him we won’t be forced to sign someone we don’t know and/or draft someone hoping they work out. I think in a perfect world we rock with Evans,and Godwin and continue to develop McMillan as our future WR1-2 & next year’s WR3.
Another Ideal situation would be drafting another younger guy after the first round to get a little younger at the position.
IMO the focus needs to be on EDGE and CB. We straight up just need new players at EDGE to see if we can get a 10+ sack guy and we could use more help at CB even if we keep Dean which is a maybe.
February 18th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Team first HODAD, why compromise long term relevance/success because of emotional attachments. Explain why you want to tie up cap? Because he’s a good guy? Because he likes puppies? The fact that he got hurt last year and played 60% of the season shows the Bucs played their hand right, and they’re the bad guy? Yes, Godwin is an awesome dude, great guy, but he has been compensated already for his contributions. I’m not in to rewarding someone for years that he may or may not be available in, while tying up the cap, while the defense has endless needs. Sure heres a 4 year deal, with team opt out option/voidable for years 2, 3, 4.
February 18th, 2025 at 9:45 am
Down 10 from your own 18 with a minute left in the game and no time outs.
Before the Ravens Fumble Bucs QB had 150 yards passing, 1 TD and 2 INT’s.
Down 34-10 into the 4th QTR the game was over. Even after Scoring the fumble the Ravens drove the Ball for a TD over 4 minutes and the net gain since the fumble was 1 point from down 24 to down 23.
QB finished with 370 yards passing and 3 TD’s. That went a long way towards getting his Incentive Money. Maybe that is why he was pushing the idea that they could pull off a miracle so hard.
February 18th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Rastaferian Jenkins Says:
February 18th, 2025 at 7:25 am
I love Chris and am grateful with his effort and loyalty to our team. The reality is he is getting older and has two major (not his fault) leg injuries. The line in the sand is $18m, which is his dead money hit. Anything over that would be foolish and risky for the Bucs. 3 years, 60m like his last contract should do the job, but if he wants to chase money elsewhere, best of luck. Business is Business
I’m with Rastaman. Offer an incentive-laden contract so that if Chris is healthy, he gets paid. Other teams will offer him more money, but Chris/Mariah respect Licht and the players here. El Serpiente will want Chris, but maybe Chris isn’t a fan of his former coach, Lawrence, and Shah.
Dean is another story. He finds ways not to play. I wonder how his teammates view his apparent lack of desire to play? Finding a replacement for Dean will help the D, on and off the field, so pick a CB at #19
February 18th, 2025 at 9:56 am
I love Chris Godwin and I want him back. But if he decides to leave I can not hold that against him. This a capitalistic society and If he can make the money and still do what he enjoys doing for his lively hood, so be it.
If that be the case I have a solution. Take Devin Culp “His 4.47 40-yard dash time was the third-fastest time for any participant who weighed at least 230 pounds in the 2024 NFL Draft Combine” move him out to the edge or slot and create all type of nightmare for the other team defenses. make him our next “Godwin or Kelce”
Go Bucs.
February 18th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Unless Godwin takes less this year, like on a one year deal, I don’t see him staying.
The talk from Godwin’s camp is going to be that he is recovering nicely, regardless of the truth…but it wouldn’t be the first time the truth is hidden for a big contract.
There is substantial risk for the Bucs for a player who has an injury history and may not come back as good as he has been in the past.
In addition, Godwin’s wife speaking up publicly a while back shows potential for frustration in Godwin’s camp. Certainly he had a short string of games where that frustration showed previously.
So, as I said, the risk is all on the Bucs. As much as Godwin wants a longer term contract, the smart thing for the Bucs is a 1-2 year deal with potential for an extension later.
The smart thing for Godwin? It might just be to move on.
Regardless, the Bucs had a top offense without him.
February 18th, 2025 at 10:51 am
Hodad Says
“The time to do a deal with Godwin was last year. They should’ve locked him up with a three year deal then.”
Considering the cap and his inconsistent play the year before, I would totally disagree with your view.
February 18th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Question: If he signs with another team, how would that affect his dead cap hit for the Bucs?
Wouldn’t change.–Joe
February 18th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Baker cut a sweetheart deal with Bucs. Hopefully, CG14 will do the same. Three years at $55Millon with $35Mill guaranteed seems about right and fair.
February 18th, 2025 at 11:39 am
I love Chris but if we allow him and Dean to walk we could get an edge rusher and an ILB. Neither Chris or Dean can make it through a whole season. Let him get his bag from someone else and replace him in the draft
February 18th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
We gain nothing monetarily by letting Goodwin walk. How many times does this need to be said?
February 18th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Gain needed cap space. It sucks but there’s no choice
February 18th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
One other thing.
People keep saying he’s injury prone. He was injured on a dirty play. That could have been anyone. Look at some of the dirty hits Baker took last season. Off-season preparation can’t help you when guys are dropping their body weight on the back of your legs.
February 18th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
If Godwin walks its my understanding were on the hook for 18 million of dead money from pushing his contract down the road. We just need to work something out with him for around 22 million a year and kick the can down the road at this point.
February 18th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
My point St Pete is we shouldn’t be discussing Godwin’s FA at all, time to deal was last season. Past aside, Godwin now has options. I’m saying J Ville is a good landing spot.
February 18th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
BucsFan81 Says
“We just need to work something out with him for around 22 million a year and kick the can down the road at this point.”
Or…just eat the hit and be free of the dead cap.
February 18th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Beeej Says
“We gain nothing monetarily by letting Goodwin walk. How many times does this need to be said?”
Not true. We take the hit this year, and then we’re done. No more kicking the can down the road. You don’t get out of the hole by kicking the can.
February 18th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
Chris Godwin is still the heartbeat of Offense. Cannot lose him.
February 18th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
Trade for WR Garrett Wilson (24yrs)
Given his consistent performance and youth, acquiring Garrett Wilson in exchange for a premium 2026 draft pick could be a strategic move to strengthen the team’s receiving corps, especially if re-signing Chris Godwin isn’t feasible.
2024 Season:
* Receptions: 101
* Receiving Yards: 1,104
* Touchdowns: 7
2023 Season:
* Receptions: 95
* Receiving Yards: 1,042
* Touchdowns: 3
2022 Season:
* Receptions: 83
* Receiving Yards: 1,103
* Touchdowns: 4
* Notable Achievement: Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
February 18th, 2025 at 8:20 pm
How in the world is Chris Godwin younger than Deebo Samuel?
That’s remarkable.
As for resigning him – I’d love to see it happen, but I just don’t know how the Bucs make it happen unless the market for him is weaker than anticipated.
February 18th, 2025 at 8:53 pm
does godwins running style make him get these injuries? or is it freak bad luck?
February 18th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
The only reason I’m checking back is CG14. He is such a first class player, both on and off the field. No, he is NOT injury prone!! Both of his SEASON ENDING injuries were caused by DELIBERATE DIRTY HITS c/o Sean Payton’s Aints, and the BS Ravens. The NFL gets away with this cos they have been a gold mine for on and off-shore gambling for years. It won’t change any time soon.
February 18th, 2025 at 11:37 pm
@LUV, CG14 is coming back, trust me. Hopefully 100% healed by start of the season.
Emmanwori
Revel
Schwesinger
I think we can make it happen, but there might have to be a trade up…its according to how Revel’s healing goes.