The belief around NFL front offices is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will work to re-sign free agent wide receiver Chris Godwin, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“Multiple execs expect the Bucs to try to re-sign Godwin, who has that Buc-for-life feel similar to Mike Evans,” Fowler wrote.
The Bucs signed Evans to a two-year, $52 million deal last March ahead of his 11th season with the franchise.
Godwin, who has played eight seasons in Tampa Bay, was leading the NFL with 50 receptions through seven games in 2024 before he suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Spotrac projects he will get a three-year, $67 million deal on his next contract.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht selected Godwin in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has gone on to become one of the most successful receivers in franchise history, ranking second behind only Evans in career receiving yards (7,266), receiving touchdowns (39) and receptions (579.)
Godwin also played a key role in the Bucs’ Super Bowl win following the 2020 season, when he led Tampa Bay with 232 receiving yards in four playoff wins.
Although Godwin has proved to be a consistent producer with three straight 1,000-yard campaigns following the championship win, there could be some concerns about his health going forward after undergoing surgery on his dislocated ankle in October.
Given that he was on pace for a fourth consecutive quadruple-digit receiving yards total before the injury, he will still likely command a high price in free agency as he prepares to return to the field next fall.
The Buccaneers may need to decide whether they can compete with the offers Godwin might receive on the open market, or if they can turn to cheaper, younger options like Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer next season.
That would mean even more turnover for an offense already set to undergo major changes in 2025. The Bucs are currently in search of a new offensive coordinator after losing Liam Coen to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coaching vacancy.
Keeping Godwin in the fold could help Tampa Bay, which successfully implemented one of the highest-scoring offenses in the NFL last season, lean on their veteran receiving duo while adjusting to a new system next fall.
