NFL Network: Chris Godwin Returning To Bucs May Be “Realistic”
March 7th, 2025
Tom Brady and Liam Coen lurk.
It seems the folks at NFL Network are under the impression there will be a bidding war for Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin, who may be a free agent on Wednesday.
The Bucs had a deadline extended to Wednesday to re-sign Godwin, sparing them an ugly cap hit. Or Godwin could test the market.
And if he does hit the open market, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, speaking on “The Insiders” last night, says Godwin’s agent will be a very popular fellow fielding calls and texts from NFL teams.
Don’t count the Bucs out yet, said NFL Network reporter Sara Walsh. The Bucs have a strong track record of keeping their stars.
“If you go just by the Bucs’ recent history, that will tell you that it’s very realistic we see Chris Godwin in a Bucs uniform again,” Walsh said. “They’re really big names, the Bucs and Jason Licht and that front office have done an incredible job of keeping these guys in Tampa.”
In a passing league, teams are hungry for proven stars catching the ball. So Godwin’s value, NFL Network suggests, is only rising.
Last week at the combine in Indianapolis, Joe asked Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht during a recording of the Ira Kaufman Podcast if he was worried former Bucs assistant general manager and new Raiders general manager John Spytek — and his boss former Bucs quarterback Tom Brady — as well as new Jags head coach Liam Coen, might cherry pick talent from the Bucs roster.
Licht responded, “That’s the NFL.”
What Licht meant is that smart teams are always going to try to grab good talent.
You better believe Brady/Spytek and Coen are watching to see if Godwin hits free agency. Joe would be shocked if Brady and Coen, who both have relationships with Godwin, don’t at least reach out to the Bucs’ veteran if Licht cannot hammer out a deal by Wednesday.
Will @greggrosenthal’s No. 1 free agent WR Chris Godwin return to the Bucs? @Sara_Walsh shares her thoughts on the possibility. 🔊 pic.twitter.com/F3n1O8rcw2
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 7, 2025
March 7th, 2025 at 10:36 am
JL will git er done. Chris needs to be a Buc for life.
March 7th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Well as of right now the Raiders don’t even have a QB and the Jags got Trevor Lawrence. Pretty sure Godwin is not leaving for any of those teams no matter how good the money is. I be a deal gets done and they announce it when FA starts.
March 7th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Evans and Mayfield came down to the wire last year. I expect nothing different this year with Godwin.
March 7th, 2025 at 10:51 am
@Joe..
Once more Joseph, is much more interesting what both Joes or sage has to say about this, not Sara Walsh’s speculations….Who I have no clue who she is by the way….
March 7th, 2025 at 10:54 am
Godwin’s camp is waiting to see if they can get top dollar from Las Vegas or Jacksonville. Those teams have $70 and 60 million in cap room.
The issues for CG are his injury and all the other former Pro Bowl, #1, vet WR on the market.
March 7th, 2025 at 10:59 am
I am hoping the statements by Licht were meant to scare teams off. However, I am waiting to hear something from Godwin’s agent about his progress from the recent injury. My guess is if there is no deal in place early next week, we will be hearing plenty from Godwin’s agent that he is doing quite well. At Godwin’s age, I would think he would want to go with a contender and one may step up and offer Godwin both a chance at his last big payday and a chance to play on a contender. With that in mind due to a lack of big time receivers in the draft and free agency, I believe if Godwin does hit the market he will be gone. I would hate to see this, but at this point the closer it gets to free agency and no new deal in place the more it appears Godwin’s days are over. Let’s be real somebody is going to pay Godwin a lot of money to play next year.
March 7th, 2025 at 11:00 am
It’s understood that Chris wants to maximize his salary. But, does he really want to leave Tampa where he has friends, teammates, and has set down roots. I’m sure he would consider it, if he gets some ridiculously low offer from the Bucs, but that’s not going to happen. He may have to give Jason a bit of a discount, but you know he will be treated fairly. He’s not going anywhere!
March 7th, 2025 at 11:03 am
I don’t understand the concept of pay two wide receivers $25 million per year but have no Edge rushers making over 2 million per year especially when the defense was really suffering in the offense was thriving even without Chris Godwin
March 7th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Hoping Chris stays with the Bucs. He has a working and personal relationship with Baker, Mike, and others. Can’t see him moving on to another team. This is home for he and his family. We love him.
March 7th, 2025 at 11:10 am
Why should Godwin give the bucs a discount? Answer: he shouldnt.
He deserves to get paid as much as he can. I hope he stays and I hope his ankle fully heals but either way he should get as much as he can from the rabid pack of billionaires AKA nfl owners who would just as soon nickel and dime him or toss him on the scrap heap.
Get Paid Chris you deserve it!
March 7th, 2025 at 11:12 am
Godwin isn’t gonna uproot his family for an extra couple million, he’s already MADE $80 million
March 7th, 2025 at 11:19 am
Praying we keep Chris Godwin, really luv that we would have 2 gr8 WR and 3rd striking moving 2 gr8 WR this year EVANS GODWIN MCMILLAN, yeehaw!!! GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO BAKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 7th, 2025 at 11:27 am
They letting Godwin go means that We can afford to pay a guy like Trey Hendrickson Then I’ll take it
Sorry, but this is a business and we’ve seen the Bucs have great offenses and horrible defense for years might be time for a change
Also, the Bucs showed that they could have just as much success without Godwin last year so if Godwin wants top dollar then I don’t think you have to do it
March 7th, 2025 at 11:35 am
Easier to draft a WR than a stud edge rusher. Agree w Tbbuccs3, if Godwin is gone, give me Hendrickson/Garrett.
March 7th, 2025 at 11:48 am
I noticed where it’s said to be easier to draft a receiver than an edge. Not if you want a difference maker. Godwin makes a difference if he’s healthy.
March 7th, 2025 at 12:28 pm
he is not going anywhere. Bucs always keep who they want here to still be here. What FA has left the BUCS and done big things elsewhere? Waiting….
March 7th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
It’s not like Godwin will have to pull his 3 month old baby out of school and have him making new friends. As far as where he moves to is simply a case of here’s my stuff, pack it nicely and take it here and set it up.
With Godwin’s wife having a degree in Nutritional Sciences perhaps a position in the TB12 organization will be the determining factor.
Vegas will have a QB that will allow them to compete in 2025. No doubt in my mind.
Would not surprise me one bit if Davante Adams and Chris Godwin are both starting for the Raiders next season.
March 7th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
i think the early licht years taught him a lesson its better to spend money on guys you know from character to work ethic . besides a team overpaying another hangup might be his injury recovery we never really hear about that? . i like to think hes not injury he never gets noncontact injuires but i wonder how much his running style predisposes him to these injuries. hopefully its just bad luck
March 7th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
injury prone *
March 7th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Bo Jackson HAHAHAHAHA
March 7th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Raiders will pay up. Chris Godwin’s earned it. Hate to lose him but happy for him, if the chips fall that way.
PS: better AFC than NFC. Also better Vegas over JAX (duvooool)
March 7th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Oxycondomns … ‘i like to think hes not injury he never gets noncontact injuires but i wonder how much his running style predisposes him to these injuries. hopefully its just bad luck. injury prone *’
Chris’ 2 major injuries were the result of dubious plays by opposing players. Slot receivers pay a heavy price for catching the ball in the middle of the field in some very tight (vulnerable) situations. Look at his seasons:
o 2017: 16 games (no injuries).
o 2018: 16 games (no injuries).
o 2019: 14 games (2 games lost – hamstring end of season).
o 2020: 12 games (4 games lost – finger, hamstring, concussion).
o 2021: 14 games(3 games lost – knee)
o 2022: 15 games (2 games lost – hamstring)
o 2023: 17 games (0 games lost).
o 2024: 7 games (10 games lost – ankle).
Looked at realistically, 2 dubious tackles have cost Chris 13 games lost, out of a total of 21 games lost in an 8-year career. Take out those 2 tackles, and Chris has averaged losing a tad over 1 game per season. I wouldn’t call that injury-prone at all. He’s been a beast for us.
March 7th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
i agree. definitely dont want sound like i criticize him hes been a great buc.i remember the saints one. sometimes i feel like his direct tough running style sets him up.
March 7th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
The dude is a prototype slot and maybe the best 3rd down receiver in the league. I’ll bet he’s running right now. We’d have heard about it if there were problems in rehab. Surgically repaired ankle dislocation should be healed by now in most cases. He’s durable by any measure in my view.
March 7th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
It’s going to come down to guaranteed money….I think Bucs will match any offer on that front. Godwins biggest risk is injury, guaranteed money is the priority. All the other fluff that goes into a contract to bump up the per yr amount is icing on the cake. Players know those dollars aren’t guaranteed and in some ways out of their control.
March 7th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
🚨🚨🚨🚨JOE!!! RED ALERT JOE! 🚨🚨🚨🚨
TITANS RELEASED HAROLD LANDRY!
March 7th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Honestly if we can pull a Hendricks trade we let Godwin go….sign Cooper Kupp as short term relief in the slot. Draft Jihaad (LB) in the 1st, a CB in the 2nd, guard in the 3rd
March 7th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
Great player, would love to have him back but have to be careful on how much more you pay incrementally for an extra catch, touchdown, or first down catch per season. If McMillan is the baseline, how much more are we paying Godwin for catches that exceed McMillan catches, TD, first downs? Looking at it that way, if Godwin has 2 more TD’s, 20 more catches, and 10 more 1st down catches than J McMillan is that worth an incremental $15Mill/season over J McMillan? Probably not.
March 7th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
The $18.5M dead cap hit the Bucs will incur on March 12th if Godwin is not re-signed represents a BIG incentive for the team to get a deal done.
And it gives Godwin’s camp some degree of advantage over the team in trying to negotiate a new contract. Of course Chris’ agent lost a big chunk of his negotiating advantage when the player went down with a serious and season ending injury in week 7 of 2024… but Chris showed in those 7 weeks the best he possibly could have – so there’s no denying that as long as the medicals are trending in the right direction – #14 is worthy of a substantial investment.
What that # winds up being is the (multi) Million Dollar Question.
I’m guessing the Godwin camp is demanding at least $20M per on a multi year deal with decent guarantees – and I’m guessing Greenberg is offering something below $15M per year at this point in the negotiation.
I’ve said for the last few weeks that the deal that feels about right to me and is fair to both sides considering the circumstances is:
3 years – $50M with $20M Guaranteed – PLUS an array of incentives tied to availability and performance worth an additional $5-6M per year.
March 7th, 2025 at 3:48 pm
@Jvato – First off these are two HOF caliber WRs that make this offense very much an elite unit okay, second off without WRs no offense = no wins, and no wins = a dynasty such as the Cleveland Browns or Tennessee Titans.
It’s a very easy choice. Also the going rate for skilled experienced pass rushers in FA has surged at an alarming rate in recent years. Drafting replacements for the defense is what’s next in line. Sorry you don’t understand things yet, but this is the way kiddo.
March 7th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
Also hearing rumors of trading skilled veteran cb Jamel Dean for a late round draft pick to free up his cap space. Wouldn’t be a terrible idea imo. We draft his replacement in round 2-3 , then maybe sign a vet for extra depth.
I can see saving $8.2 million especially if it goes to keeping LVD and or Godwin.
I’d expect some trades and shifting of financial assets to make things more obtainable for the team and club.
March 8th, 2025 at 12:33 am
So when is Godwin’s wife going to tell him to sign the contract ?
March 9th, 2025 at 9:54 am
Nice analysis Pickgrin. I only disagree on the Bucs lowballing a incet 15mil. WR salary is sky rocketing and they were already paying him 20. Injury is the only limiting factor and both sides should have a good idea about that. The kick in the head for the Bucs is they don’t have the protection from it that every other team has. That’s a good incentive for Godwin to stay. Not sure how much Godwin would give up for that insurance.
March 9th, 2025 at 9:58 am
him at 15 mil.