Chris Godwin may be on his way out of Tampa Bay, as his Buccaneers contract is set to expire this offseason.

Godwin was picked by the Bucs in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has been a key player for the team over the years. He also has a Super Bowl ring to his name, thanks to a stint with the legendary Tom Brady in 2020.

However, his time in Tampa Bay might end due to his expiring contract and a potential multi-million dollar issue regarding salary cap space within the team.

According to Sportrac, Godwin is finishing up a three-year $60 million deal this offseason, and despite a recent injury, his market value is expected to rise. The 28-year-old had to cut his season short due to a dislocated ankle during the Bucs’ game against the Baltimore Ravens in week seven.

Even so, it’s speculated that his market value could increase to $22.5 million a year – a figure that Tampa Bay might not be able to match.

Over The Cap suggests that the Buccaneers are projected to have just $11m in cap space this offseason without any changes being made. This means that keeping Godwin on the roster would be too costly – $11.5m too much to be precise – potentially leaving him open to the free agency market.

The rise of rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan has also given the club’s hierarchy food for thought. With Godwin out this season, the 23-year-old has seamlessly fit into the offense, scoring eight touchdowns and recording 461 receiving yards on just 37 receptions.

Given his youth and average annual salary of $1.4m, McMillan could be one of the rookie stars to replace an older player in Tampa Bay. While many believe the team will reshuffle to keep the veteran star, Godwin has other options to consider.

Here are five NFL teams that could compete for Godwin’s signature if he doesn’t stay in Tampa Bay this summer.

New York Giants

According to Sports Illustrated, the New York Giants are projected to have $43.3m in salary cap space, ranking 16th in the league.

With a rebuild planned this offseason, the Giants are looking for experienced players who can hit the ground running in the 2025 campaign.

With the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the NFC East team is expected to use this opportunity to select a young quarterback to lead their offense in 2025. The Giants had previously released franchise quarterback Daniel Jones in 2024 following a series of poor performances, allowing backup Tommy DeVito to step up.

However, when DeVito was injured during the Baltimore Ravens game in December, fourth-string star Tim Boyle stepped in, with Drew Lock playing the season’s final two games. This suggests that a reliable and fit quarterback, along with offensive weapons, will be a top priority in the Draft.

With a decent amount of cap space and a need for experience, the Giants may look to the free agency market to secure Godwin’s services this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers has already been linked with several high-profile wide receivers for 2025, including Tyreek Hill and Tee Higgins.

Godwin could be another option for the AFC North team, which is looking to bolster its skills roster. Star receiver George Pickens had a solid season out wide, recording 900 receiving yards on 59 receptions – but he only scored three touchdowns.

In 2023, he had 1,140 receiving yards and five touchdowns, so some assistance from a more experienced player could be beneficial. The other nine wide receivers on the Steelers roster recorded just eight touchdowns in 2024, indicating a desperate need for established scorers.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are also a great option for Godwin to head to if he leaves Tampa Bay this offseason. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix had an extremely good season in 2024, scoring 29 touchdowns and recording 3,775 passing yards in a regular season run that led them to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele also performed well, scoring three touchdowns and recording 475 receiving yards on 41 receptions. His work alongside veteran Courtland Sutton was good, as the veteran star had 1,081 receiving yards and eight touchdowns across the season.

Adding an experienced star like Godwin to Nix’s roster of weapons could only improve the Broncos in 2025, especially with Sutton entering the final year of his contract this season. Yardbreaker reports that Denver will have a projected cap space of over $56m this offseason, so Godwin may head to the AFC this year.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are predicted to make some big-money moves in the offseason, especially with the addition of Tom Brady as minority owner over the 2024 season. The Raiders will be the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft this year, and they are likely to draft a quarterback first – with fans hoping for Colorado Buffaloes star Shedeur Sanders to be the best option.

In 2024, Jakobi Meyers was the main star out wide for the Raiders and had an average season. The 28-year-old scored four touchdowns and had 1,027 receiving yards on 87 receptions.

While this is a decent return for a wide receiver, many reckon that Godwin is a far superior choice for the Raiders. According to Sports Illustrated, the AFC West team will have the second most cap space in 2025, boasting a staggering $112m at their disposal.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to bolster the offensive arsenal available to quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason. Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey was a sensation in 2024, racking up over 1,000 yards in 16 games with seven touchdowns to his name.

However, due to McConkey’s success, the Chargers have found it challenging to find a player who can effectively complement him throughout the season. This is where Godwin could step in, given his league experience and consistent record of achieving over 1,000 yards per season.

The team’s cap space is projected to reach $74.4m in 2025, which gives them the opportunity to sign Godwin if they wish to do so.