How Bad Was Chris Godwin’s Injury?
January 22nd, 2025
Future with Bucs?
It was Oct. 21 in a Monday night home loss to the Crows with the Bucs frantically trying to get back into the game when Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle.
Godwin required surgery and initially Bucs coach Todd Bowles openly hoped he could come back for the playoffs and didn’t rule out a postseason return. But Bowles in early January noted Godwin would not return and was done for the year.
So last week when Bowles spoke with the local pen and mic club, he seemed to indicate that Godwin’s dislocated ankle was a major injury (as if suffering a season-ending injury in October isn’t major).
Bowles was asked if he would like to have Godwin back next season. Godwin will be a free agent if he’s not re-signed when the free agency dinner bell rings on March 12.
Bowles acted like he didn’t even know when Godwin could get back on a football field.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Bowles said. “If we can sign him back at all, I’d love to have him back here.
“I don’t know the significance yet of how long he will be out and how he will recover, but we would definitely like to have him back.”
Well, that didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement.
Could Godwin’s injury spook other teams from taking a gamble on damaged goods? And if so, could the Bucs maybe get Godwin at a discount?
If other teams are scared off, the Bucs better play it safe as well. So maybe the Bucs could get Godwin below market value, at least for the 2025 season.
Imagine what a healthy Godwin might do with a full season with Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
If Coen doesn’t bolt to Jacksonville.
January 22nd, 2025 at 5:59 am
Coen bolts to J Ville maybe he signs Godwin? Maybe he signs Trask as his backup.? Bredeson is a free agent, he could also target Goedeke, or Mauch when they’re FAs. Maybe Evans will want to get his next 1000 yards with Lawernce? We lose Coen who knows what else we’ll lose?
January 22nd, 2025 at 6:21 am
I understand some of the criticisms around Todd Bowles….. But I think the most disgusting thing that (some) fans did was try to blame Bowles for the Godwin injury this season.
By that logic, I guess all coaches should just rest all their starters every time your “unlikely” To win.
January 22nd, 2025 at 6:51 am
I am unclear what kind of injury this is. Thr wife broke her leg near the ankle
and it had to be operated on and be rejoined, her foot is not straight anymore and she walks slowly 15 years later. If there is a break it doesn’t always go back in the same position and they have a range of acceptable misalignment.
January 22nd, 2025 at 7:09 am
I have followed a few teams in my life but the Buc fanbase is the only one that I have witnessed that wants to low rent every player that comes around. It is actually comical and stereotypical of the makeup of an ethnicity around this club. It probably answers a lot of questions why you go through dark decades and come up inches short. A lot of fans want something for nothing and nickel and dime good talent like Godwin. Same attitude was around Mayfield and Evans signing. Glad Management and ownership does not listen to you guys.
Pay the man he has a proven heart to come back and play at a high level.
January 22nd, 2025 at 7:27 am
I sure hope Godwin comes back healthy. Obviously, if he’s not healthy he’s not going to be much help. Bowles and the BUCS are never clear or forthcoming about injuries so the value of his words is basically gossip. I figure if we court receivers heavily in FA that would be a tell. Then again, we need receiver help anyway. Palmer is meh and Jarret or whatever that UDFA’a name is doesn’t impress me. We have that other free agent who’s supposed to be Baker’s buddy, but I don’t even remember that guy’s name either. Is my memory failing of are these guys hardly worth remembering? It’s still early. In the morning and in the offseason.
January 22nd, 2025 at 7:51 am
So… after anxiously awaiting this article nothing new .
Guy will be playing with varying degrees of pain all year and possibly swelling.
Watch the Championship games this weekend and the type of wide receiver play you will see.
Then try to imagine where that shows up on the Bucs roster.
Then go back to the stretch where Evan’s and Godwin were both missing.
Mike is old and wearing down
Chris is recovering and playing ability unknown and he is not a Buc as I type
LB3 come draft day
January 22nd, 2025 at 7:58 am
The way Bowles described it, it could be not just a season ending injury, but a career ending injury. That would be terrible for Chris and the Bucs. We’ve all been counting on his return next year. Let’s just hope this is a smoke screen intended to tamp down interest from other teams.
January 22nd, 2025 at 8:11 am
It sounds like Godwin’s injury and coming back may be questionable. Doesn’t sound too good. Feel bad for Godwin.
Agree PSL Bob, hope it’s a smoke screen.
January 22nd, 2025 at 8:42 am
Maybe Coen takes Godwin to Jax…
January 22nd, 2025 at 9:12 am
Hodad is wilding in the comments. Evans leaving for Jacksonville? For a worse QB? Because his one-year OC (who struggled to utilize him early in the year) leaves?
Good god, people, get a grip.
January 22nd, 2025 at 9:14 am
but we would definitely like to have him back.”
Well, that didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement.”
Really? If you mean a ringing endorsement of CG14’s health and future I agree.
But clearly if CG14 CAN play and the Bucs CAN afford him he’ll be back.
@Bakerfan
“Pay the man he has a proven heart to come back and play at a high level.”
Always enjoy your posts and largely agree but I gotta pick a nit here.
Obviously first he has to get healthy. Assuming he does though, even at his past performance levels, the Bucs have to address needs! The NFL is a sometimes CRUEL world. IF CG14 really wants to play in Tampa, or doesn’t get a huge FA offer because of the damaged goods, I ABSOLUTELY want him back.
But I’m kinda cold myself I guess. CG14 and his wife are an amazing couple and true asset to the community! But the CG14 would be a cherry on top of the offensive cake right now. The Bucs have many MAJOR needs talentwise on D with no discernable weaknesses on the O side. JL fixed the O last year now he can fix the D and THEN the Bucs will be a true CONTENDER not just another playoff team. Obviously just my H.O.
January 22nd, 2025 at 9:16 am
BTW a related question for all. Where will Coen/Baker find enough footballs to feed all the hungry mouths?
January 22nd, 2025 at 9:28 am
29 years old, coming off his 2nd major injury , $18m minimum — not an investment that i would make
January 22nd, 2025 at 9:58 am
Some interesting dominoes getting ready to happen. First is Coen leaving and taking some darn good coaches with him. Will it happen?
If Coen leaves, would someone like Grizzard stay and become OC?
Based on the future OC (Coen or other), what would Godwin want to do?
I’m hoping the Bucs can retain Godwin but his health is uncertain. I like the idea of a contract heavy with incentives. As @stpetebucsfan has stated, we have other areas of need… How do the Bucs view Bredeson and how much to pay him? I think the Bucs need an experienced ILB to replace/complement LVD. Will Licht pick up a starter or two in FA?
Job 1 now is retaining Coen at all cost. Come on Glazers, time to step up!
January 22nd, 2025 at 10:27 am
the bucs going to get cheetah
January 22nd, 2025 at 10:34 am
Um Joe I call BS on Bowles yet again. He doesn’t know? Seriously?
There are a whole lot of dollars riding on what he says he doesn’t know. He is the Head Coach and he gets paid to know some stuff. I am sure that he and Jason have had multiple meetings and will have even more before the draft, on exactly this topic Joe.
Go Bucs!
January 22nd, 2025 at 10:47 am
Both of CD14’s season ending injuries were due to ILLEGAL hits! If he decides to retire, I certainly don’t blame him. I notice one of the two culprits, the Baltimore Ravens, lost to the Bills this past weekend. Good. It’s a small crumb of justice/payback for Chris Godwin.
January 22nd, 2025 at 10:47 am
I think Chris will end up playing on a prove it deal any where outside of Tampa. But, within Tampa, I think they’ll be a little more generous with the money or the length of contract (not absurdly generous). The sad part is, last time he had a season-ending injury, it really took 1.5-2 years for him to be himself. This is a different injury, so we’ll have to see.
January 22nd, 2025 at 11:54 am
Chris is a Buc in 2025 unless he is still too injured to play, in which case the Bucs should work with him to be under contract here to rehab on IR for something reasonable, let the rehab show what he’s got left in the tank and make him a Buc for life. He’s that kind of player and the Bucs are that kind of team under Jason and the Glazernauts.
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:28 pm
It was ugly when it happened. Not to mention sad as can be.
But Chris can and will come back from it
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:21 pm
I’d love to have Godwin back, but I just don’t see how the Bucs can afford him. But I’d love to see Licht pull another rabbit out of his hat and get it done.
An alternative, might I suggest … sign Rachaad White to a new contract extension on the cheap, like $3-4m/year for 3 years — then as soon as he signs the deal, move him to WR, or at least a Samuel like RB-WR hybrid. He has the speed and quickness to do that, and he’s been one of the best players in the NFL for years when he’s got the ball in space, and he’s got good hands. He’s certainly not Godwin, this is all about value and the cap and trying to get a guy at a very low salary that might put up some big numbers if used differently.
Also, if anything happened to Bucky, White can just move back to RB.
Another suggestion that is unrelated, please resign Hainsey. The guy is really valuable as a swing offensive lineman that can play everywhere. I totally trust Licht on this, so if he doesn’t sign him he must know something I don’t, but years of cross training him shouldn’t be allowed to walk out the door.
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:49 pm
The Bucs should offer Godwin three years at $12 million/year fully guaranteed with performance incentives that would let him make $26 million/year if he has the full year performance that he was on track for before he was injured: $6 million more in increments if he actually reached 1,400 yards, and $8 million in increments if he actually reaches 12 touchdowns. The $12 million would be based on an expectation of 800 yards and 4 touchdowns. For each additional 120 yards, another $1 million; for each additional touchdown, another $1 million dollars up to the max for $26 million in a season.
This is a win-win. If Godwin suffers a career ending injury, he walks away with $36 million. If he performs at an elite level for three years, he walks away with $78 million. And, if he has those kind of elite performances, the Bucs should smile as they write the checks.
The really good news is that the new contract would only cost the Bucs a $13 million Cap hit this year because he had 5 touchdowns and less than 800 yards last year, so only the performance bonus for the fifth touchdown would be added to his base salary. And, if the Bucs swap base salary for signing bonus, they could reduce the Cap hit even further.
January 22nd, 2025 at 3:50 pm
toopanca Says:
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:49 pm
The Bucs should offer Godwin three years at $12 million/year fully guaranteed with performance incentives that would let him make $26 million/year if he has the full year performance that he was on track for before he was injured…
———-
LOL!
That contract would literally get you laughed out of the building.
Middling WR’s are making $20m/year as a base salary. WR’s of Godwin level are at $30m/year with additional incentives.
That’s why I don’t see any way the Bucs can afford to keep him, but I’d love to be wrong.
January 23rd, 2025 at 7:42 am
I hope Baker is in Cheetahs ear already, just some little whispers about how great it is playing in Tampa. And let’s go beat the chiefs in the superbowl next year type stuff. Also, keep Godwin.