Chris Godwin Returns To Buccaneers On Three-Year Deal
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) to a three-year deal worth $66 million on Monday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Godwin will be guaranteed $44 million at signing. There were some whispers that the New England Patriots would make a play to snag Godwin, but the Bucs made sure that the 29-year-old never reached the open market. With Tee Higgins being franchise-tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals, Godwin was the next most attractive wideout in free agency at the receiver position. Godwin ended up playing in only seven games in 2024 due to a fractured ankle, but before that season-ending injury, he was on pace for career-best numbers with 50 receptions, 576 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 62 targets. Despite the presence of Mike Evans, Godwin should continue to have a big role in Tampa's passing attack in 2025 as long as he doesn't have any negative effects from his ankle injury.
Chris Godwin Expected To Draw Significant Attention
Free-agent wide receiver Chris Godwin is expected to draw a ton of attention in free agency this offseason. The Pro-Bowl wideout will hit free agency for the first time since he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017. The Bucs have made it known they want to bring back Godwin, but decided not to franchise tag him and let him walk into free agency. The New England Patriots are rumored to be a heavy favorite for Godwin, but he should have a handful of suitors. The 29-year-old has been excellent since coming into the league in 2017. It's worth noting that Godwin only played seven games this past season due to a season-ending ankle injury. Before that, Godwin posted three straight season of 1,000-plus receiving yards, so the injury shouldn't impact his value on the open market. It wouldn't be shocking to see Godwin get a deal that is worth more than $25 million per season.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that if Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Chris Godwin makes it to free agency, don't be surprised if the New England Patriots get involved. It's no secret that the Patriots are looking to upgrade their receiving corps with a bona fide No. 1 wideout this offseason, and after the Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on wideout Tee Higgins, Godwin would be by far and away the top available pass-catcher on the open market. However, Tampa has made Godwin a priority, and the feeling around the NFL is that they will make him a Buc for the rest of his career. It wasn't financially feasible for the Bucs to use the franchise tag on Godwin for a third straight season, but they may look to lock him up before he becomes available to other teams. The 29-year-old was on his way to a career year in 2024 alongside Mike Evans before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in mid-October.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) agreed on Tuesday to move the void date of his current contract to the final day of the new league year on March 12. Godwin's previous contract was due to void soon, which would have triggered $18 million in dead money against the team's 2025 salary cap. Tampa still has the option to place the franchise tag on the 28-year-old, but that won't be happening for the third straight year. The restructure of Godwin's contract gives the two sides more time to work out a contract extension since he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. Before suffering a season-ending dislocated left ankle in Week 7 against the Ravens, Godwin was on his way to a career year with 50 catches, 576 yards and five touchdowns. He should be fully recovered for the start of the 2025 season and will reprise his role as a heavily targeted No. 2 WR if he stays in Tampa.
"No Chance" Buccaneers Use Franchise Tag On Chris Godwin
According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, there's "no chance" the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will use the franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) this offseason. Sources say that the Bucs very much want to bring Godwin back in 2025, but it won't be via the franchise tag. This would be the third time that Tampa has used the franchise tag on the 28-year-old, which would have to be a 144 percent raise. The former third-rounder in 2017 out of Penn State was very productive alongside Mike Evans last year, but then he suffered a season-ending ankle injury and played in only seven games, finishing with 50 catches, 576 yards and five touchdowns on 62 targets in his eighth year with the team. Godwin is still on the right side of 30, so he should have a fairly decent free-agent market. If he returns to Tampa, he'll be working with quarterback Baker Mayfield again, albeit with the third different offensive coordinator in the last three years.
Tampa Bay Expected To Attempt To Re-Sign Chris Godwin
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to attempt to re-sign wide receiver Chris Godwin. Fowler noted that multiple executives believe Godwin views himself as a "Buc-for-life," similar to Mike Evans. Godwin had his 2024 season cut short due to a season-ending ankle injury during their Week 7 contest. However, prior to the injury, Godwin was enjoying a strong season as he tallied 82.3 yards and 7.1 receptions per game. He found the back of the end zone five times and averaged a solid 11.5 yards per reception. While sidelined, rookie Jalen McMillan enjoyed a late-season breakout as he found the back of the end zone seven times over the final five contests. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Godwin's status during the offseason, as he would likely return to his role in the slot if he returns to Tampa Bay in 2025.
The NFL's Ian Rapoport reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair his dislocated ankle. Rapoport noted that tests done leading up to surgery were "as good as they could've been," according to sources. Additionally, there is an outside shot Godwin could return in 2024, depending on how late in the winter the Bucs play. However, the likelihood of such an outcome is not very good. With fellow wideout Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to miss time through Week 11, Tampa Bay is suddenly reeling on offense. It'd not be surprising to see the team seek veteran help, but in the meantime, wide receivers Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, and Sterling Shepherd will attempt to fill the void. Running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton should also continue to see an uptick in usage.
Chris Godwin Has Small Chance To Return For Playoffs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday to fix his dislocated left ankle and will likely be out for the rest of the season. However, there's a small chance that Godwin could make it back early in 2025 if the Buccaneers make a deep playoff run. The 28-year-old suffered a gruesome ankle injury late in the fourth quarter in Monday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can send Godwin to the waiver wire now for a healthy body. It's devastating news for Tampa and Godwin, as he was excelling in his return to the slot in 2024 with a league-high 50 catches, 576 yards and five TDs in seven games. With Mike Evans (hamstring) to miss at least three games, the Bucs will be forced to use rookie Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard and Trey Palmer in three-wide sets moving forward.
Chris Godwin Likely Out For Season, Scheduled For Surgery
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) is set to undergo an MRI before surgery to repair his dislocated ankle on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 28-year-old is likely to miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season. Needless to say, this is an unfortunate development for Godwin, who looked to be on track for a career season. Godwin caught 50 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns before going down with a serious-looking injury in the Monday Night Football loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Mike Evans (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury and exited in the first half, so the Buccaneers could be down to Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard, and Trey Palmer in Week 8. Fantasy managers with Godwin should wait on official work, but he's likely to be droppable considering he likely won't return this year.
Chris Godwin Out Indefinitely With Dislocated Ankle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) was diagnosed with a dislocated ankle near the end of Monday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Todd Bowles told the media postgame. Godwin will be out indefinitely. He suffered the injury with one minute left in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers trailed by 10 points. Godwin finished Week 7 with nine targets, seven catches, and 65 receiving yards. He was placed in an air cast and carted off the field. The injury was gruesome enough that ESPN declined to show a replay on its broadcast. Football fans on social media were quick to criticize head coach Todd Bowles for keeping his starters in the game with such little time left on the clock. While Bowles explained postgame that he felt the Buccaneers still had a chance to win, his decision evidently backfired as Tampa Bay lost and Godwin is now expected to be done for the season. He finishes the 2024 campaign with 50 catches, 576 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. It's possible the veteran receiver has played his final game with the Buccaneers as he prepares to hit free agency during the 2025 offseason. It's a devastating loss for Tampa Bay and fantasy football managers everywhere, as well as crushing news for Godwin amidst a promising start to the 2024 season. Moving forward, Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer should earn more snaps alongside starting wide receiver Mike Evans.
Chris Godwin
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