Up Next: Chris Godwin Mystery
March 2nd, 2025
Chris Godwin.
So the combine is over, at least the combine that NFL media attends. Joe’s not referencing the indoor track practice TV show.
Illegal tampering happened last week in Indianapolis. A number of team shot-callers are back at their home base. For example, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht left Indiana on Friday. Todd Bowles left no later than Saturday morning as he threw out the first pitch at a New York Yankees spring training game.
At least one other Bucs personnel executive left yesterday. (He was on Joe’s flight and nearly ran Joe over on the jet bridge as Joe was allowing a woman in a scooter ample time and space to board the plane. Joe’s not sure what the rush was, it wasn’t like the plane was on the runway).
So the Bucs are in free agent mode now as the free agency dinner bell rings next week.
Matt Verderame of SI.com is trying to figure out what will happen to each NFL team’s most important free agent.
With the Bucs, Verderame thinks at the end of the day, the Bucs and Godwin find a way to hash out a multi-year contract.
Just the body language Joe saw with Licht and Bowles in Indianapolis, it seems they are spooked by Godwin’s injury.
In a perfect world, a deal would already be done. But this isn’t a perfect world now as no one really knows if Godwin is anything close to 100 percent healthy from a dislocated ankle.
If any team would know, it would be the Bucs. So the hesitation from both Licht and Bowles seems to suggest the ankle and Godwin’s rehab has the Bucs freaked out a little.
Of course, free agency doesn’t happen until March 12. So maybe the Bucs get some good medical news about Godwin in the next 10 days.
March 2nd, 2025 at 12:15 am
Or by being a little iffy they drive his price down a tad. I would imagine if they were gung ho and had no concerns about the injury vocally it would give other teams and his agent some more leverage.
March 2nd, 2025 at 12:22 am
He’s really close to a bunch of guys, tied in to the community and loves Baker. He’ll be back.
March 2nd, 2025 at 12:32 am
If his ankle is anywhere near as bad as it looked when it happened then he’s going to basically need another recovery season like he did after the ACL injury. Can’t help but wonder how much Godwin left on the table this time last year in deciding to play out the last year of his contract. For a few weeks it looked like he’d bet on himself and won. Now, he’s lost basically all leverage and is going to be better off resigning for less than expected with a ton of incentives for the year after next. I love the guy and hope he comes back and hope I’m wrong about the severity of his injury.
March 2nd, 2025 at 12:58 am
I am banking on what Godlovesbucs said. Either way, if they are iffy, spend that money on defense, and draft another young WR. I love Godwin but this is the opportunity to use that $20m+ salary on edge or a Lavonte replacement.
March 2nd, 2025 at 2:00 am
His 2nd major injury in what, 4 seasons and he’s getting older. Who knows how he’ll heal or what he’ll look like when he returns. It wouldn’t shock me if he doesn’t come back. I like Chris but this is a business. We’ll see what happens
March 2nd, 2025 at 2:17 am
As much as I hate to admit it. The combine has become irrelevant. These dudes go directly from the college season to trainers who drill them on the drills and get them to the optimum on the measurables and even coach them up on the interview process so that they say all the right canned responses.
It used to be an important tool but has become the TV show and pretty much useless. Unless you grade players by forty times.
We should all be rooting for Godwin’s full recovery to All Pro form. The alternative is not as rosy as many think. I am not sold on McMillan and our roster after him is not on CG14 level by a long way. Draft a rookie? OK, good luck with that.
Go Bucs!
March 2nd, 2025 at 4:52 am
I don’t find it to be a mystery at all. I think you guys are looking for something to be made from his name and status on the team this year. I don’t think anyone in TB is worried at all we have to keep this guy, we have to keep LVD, and we have to sign all of our draft picks this season. It’s not a hard concept to figure out.
Some guys contracts will likely be moved around to free up cap space I assume. Mike Evans and or LVDs contract, both who are on what appears to be their final contract will likely be turned into roster bonuses I presume. Then they leave for another team the following year or retire. In that time right now CG14 gets his contract extension and is our guy.
This leaves our WR core in tact for at least another season.
1. Mike Evans
2. Chris Godwin
3. Jalen McMillan
Our RBs also don’t change or leave, nor do our TEs.
Baker Mayfield is gonna throw it to these guys in another high powered offense all over again!
The only difference is this year we have a better defensive group, pass rush, and secondary. Whether Tykee Smith plays safety which I don’t wish that he will!
I loved him inside at slot CB punching balls out of guys hand’s, but it seems likely he will for at least one season. Hope his knee is 100%.
The DL is obviously 100% nasty!!! Vita and Kancey are monsters , and Logan Hall is just breaking into his bodies full power as I type. With YaYa, Hall , and a healthy Winfield Jr I don’t know how that side of the field won’t shut down every single QB in the NFL.
We’re clearly looking at OLB rd 1. A lot of talented guys and names on the board likely will be there hopefully when we pick. I am still now rooting for Mike Green at OLB if the other OLBs are gone then I may look at Shavon Revel CB or S Malachi Moore, and if that’s not an option then trade back hopefully and get multiple 2nd rounders if possible. Lot of talented players on this team are 2nd rounders. Lot of development has occurred in tampa bay recently with young players coming into the draft and I don’t see why that can’t continue for us.
However when it’s all said and done TB is keeping Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay! He deserves it and he had a heck of a great year last season until that injury.
Kancey , maybe Mike Greene, Jamel Dean, Tykee Smith. That side of the ball should also be very much dangerous on passing downs. QBs and even their WRs will not have such an easy time when facing TB!!!
I predict LVD back one more season. I predict he and Sir Dennis starting at ILB. I predict they both have great success this year. I predict this defense will stay healthy and build another elite TB defense.
I think this time 2026 bigger names like LVD, Mike Evans, and Jamel Dean will all be allowed to hit FA or retirement. I see us looking to lock up younger guys long term such as this RB core, Luke GoDeke , and everyone else next on the list. TB will be a contender next season. No reason to change anything.
March 2nd, 2025 at 4:58 am
What Garro said. Is it just me, and I’m not specifically speaking on anyone here, love you all, but why do some feel the need to remind everyone that the NFL is a business? We all know this. It’s not a hot take. Just because we are hoping for a great player to re-sign, because we feel he’s still got plenty of tread on the tires, doesn’t mean we’re freaking ignorant. Sometimes it’s just fun to be a fan. Also, has anyone noticed that he’s predicted to go just about everywhere, lol. These sports writers are grasping at straws hoping they get it right to say some b.s. about them calling it early, they’ve got receipts, etc. In my opinion, which I know isn’t worth much to most, there are too many writers these days. Everyone supposedly has an insider who knows this and that and blah blah blah. I can’t wait for August, Go Bucs!!
March 2nd, 2025 at 5:01 am
Thank you for the article, Joe. Thinking too, Chris will be back.
Interesting that SI thinks Chase Young will move on for a multi-year deal. He’s good.
garro – Agree about the Combine. I used to watch it years ago and now it seems like scripted TV. A big yawn. I would rather read about it on here than watch it.
March 2nd, 2025 at 5:44 am
I love Godwin, but I’m a BUCS fan. Players sometimes don’t come back the same. I’m not saying Cris won’t. I’m not saying he will either. We have trainers for that.
March 2nd, 2025 at 6:38 am
Best value when the Bucs are on the clock just might be a receiver. Bucs haven’t drafted a receiver in the 1st round since Mike Evans, and that turned out pretty good. There’s FA, and plenty of picks left for defense. Besides, the best defense is a good offense.
March 2nd, 2025 at 7:05 am
The reason you keep Chris Godwin is not because of how awesome the WR position will be when we have all three. It is so the position doesn’t implode when you are down to two, or even worse one.
It happened last year, it could happen again.
March 2nd, 2025 at 7:33 am
I don’t look at the offense as just WR’s. I look at ALL available targets and their strengths.
The Bucs have enough “targets” with or without CG14. Like everyone here I obviously hope he comes back, you can never have “too much talent” on your team. But there are mouths to feed and how many footballs will Baker and Griz have to spread around?
ME13 and JMac are both excellent targets. So are the Bucs TE’s with Otton and two promising young guys ready for some more touches. The backfield is loaded with guys who can catch. I still wish they’d consider moving Rachaad out to the inside receiver spot. As an RB he’s used to handling the kind of punishment a slot receiver takes.
Two thoughts. FIRST…there should be no gambling! Any contract CG receives needs to be able to dump if he’s not able to return to form. Second Perhaps White can let Griz move CG all over the field instead of strictly playing the punishing slot. I realize that’s where he’s had the most success but I think he can thrive all over the field, and his body could obviously use a break!
March 2nd, 2025 at 8:01 am
Unless they get solid medical news they have to move on or give a contract with a protective clause in it.
March 2nd, 2025 at 8:34 am
@ StPeteBucsFans ,
I would agree with you exactly spot on!
This Bucs offense may actually be the best in the NFL right now and imo everyone is so not even talking about how good we are or are going to be which is even more exciting going into game days. These other teams aren’t even sure what to do about us. Very few teams respect what this offense has and can do.
Once we grab a few more elite pieces for the defense and just stay healthy we’re back in the SB contention and conversation. I’m so serious also. I wasn’t a fan of baker coming from Cleveland and the Rams, but he’s proved me and so many others wrong entirely! So many players on this offense to get touches and it’s going to be hard to get them all on the field every year , but that’s a good thing.
Cade Otton has really improved , as well as Rookie McMillan when we needed him most. Bucky Irving has definitely done his thing and proved everyone wrong as a rookie also.
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Jalen McMillan
Bucky Irving
Rachaad White
Sean Tucker
Cade Otton
Payne Durham
Devin Culp
White obviously is a better WR than we all anticipated coming into the league, however he does have a slight issue protecting the football on the go. He is listed as 6-0 214. He could very well take that place of sterling shepherd, but I don’t see any reason to have him do so. I think he has Michael Pittman Syndrome tbh. Lmao. Yes too big of arms for his own good. Caused major fumbling issues. If he wants to be slot WR he’s gonna have to cut weight and thin out somewhat imo. Get faster , lineup out of the slot. Not against it I just don’t see the need or reason to do so. Especially if Godwin comes back. I think sterling will resign and I also think we’re in good hands with Rakim Jarrett.
If we do get rid of a WR it will be to get rid of Trey Palmer who I am no fan of and to get another bigger faster backup to Evans to play the outside. This OC we have should be very comfortable with his guys he knows their strengths and weaknesses. He knows this QB, they should bond well together quickly. Run game is on point, pass game is on point, every OL is coming back except maybe Ben Bredson who probably won’t be back but I wouldn’t be against him coming back for a fair price. He played a lot of snaps and wasn’t horrific and didn’t fall apart or get his QB murdered. Could see a 3rd rd LG in TB maybe?
Again my focus is defense defense defense because defense wins championships!
March 2nd, 2025 at 8:40 am
@ Garro – Nothing personal, but you just bring negative energy to the table for fans. You can step away from the keyboard for a few weeks.
Also the combine is important people just don’t care about OL/DL/QB numbers.
It’s all about CB/LB/WR/RB/TE/S
Having the best of these guys means that you will win a lot of games. Love Vita and Kancey and the DL guys and many of the OL guys but most people don’t find them interesting. You can bench 225 30x and be 6-5 300+ LBs and still suck. That’s the reality of it for these guys. Running a sub 5.0 forty also means nothing if you can’t block and have no physical contact going for you.
Lol, now good day sir.
March 2nd, 2025 at 9:09 am
ThatAintRight!
Dude it’s a comment section not a “write a book” section. I can promise you nobody read what you typed except for you.
Comment, don’t lecture WTF
March 2nd, 2025 at 9:41 am
Offer him a team friendly 3 year contract ,,, by the end of it ,, it will look like a bargain!! If not ,, I bet he would be a good #1 for John Allen
March 2nd, 2025 at 10:05 am
LB3 if he is still available @19
March 2nd, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Still don’t understand why these guys go to the combine and don’t participate they can do their interviews at their pro day.
March 2nd, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Luther Burden could be there when Bucs pick and I would not be surprised if they took him at all, especially with the questions surrounding Godwin.
March 2nd, 2025 at 1:17 pm
I also hope Godwin comes back. BUT I’m wondering what it would be like if he doesn’t would rhey move Rashaad White to slot and get another WR in the draft? The guy is a good blocker and dangerous out in space after he catches the ball.
March 2nd, 2025 at 1:27 pm
The Bucs are probably buying trouble if they go after Godwin in the $18 million to $23 million range.
A good deal would be $13 million with incentives that would give him $20 million + if he produces for a full season the way he was on track to do before he was injured in 2024.
I would Miss having him on the team, but , with void years and premium salaries, the Bucs are heavily extended headed towards overextended.
The Bucs need to sign hidden gem veteran free agency, draft home runs and find UDFA gold and platinum.
March 2nd, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Godwin is still young and man he was balling out before he got hurt. I’d say he even was playing better than ME13. Acl is worse than ankle. He’ll be back and just fine
March 2nd, 2025 at 6:53 pm
It would really suck if he’s not back with the Buccaneers, but it all depends on his health. That was a devastating injury and he may never be the same.
If they play their cards right with FA and draft, they are a Super Bowl contender this year
March 3rd, 2025 at 7:49 am
Do NOT sit him! He’s hurt, broke down and will never be the same. Run!