Chris Godwin has played on the franchise tag once in his career, and receiving the tag the second time around was followed by a three-year deal. The veteran wideout is on track for free agency, but another Buccaneers agreement would come as no surprise. 
Executives around the league expect Godwin to once again re-sign in Tampa Bay. Adding further to that sentiment, ESPN’s Jenna Laine writes the team will “do what it takes” to keep the former Pro Bowler in Tampa Bay. Godwin was limited to seven games in 2024 by an ankle injury, but he would be counted on as a key member of the team’s passing attack in the event he were to sign another Bucs contract.
Approaching his 29th birthday, Godwin has surpassed 1,000 yards four times in his career. Across his eight years in Tampa Bay, he has proven to be a highly effective complement to Mike Evans by providing consistent production in the slot in particular. Prior to his injury this past season, Godwin was averaging just over 82 receiving yards per game, the second-highest total of his career. Keeping him in place would be a sensible move from the team’s perspective as yet another coordinator change is implemented in 2025.
“I love Chris,” new OC Josh Grizzard said (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “And you guys know Chris is as good of a human being and football player as you’re going to be around. He was a huge asset to us last year, being a coach on the field and playing all those different roles.”
Grizzard was promoted from pass-game coordinator to his current title in the wake of Liam Coen‘s departure. He will look to continue the success that Bucs had on offense in 2024, and continuing to lean on the Evans-Godwin tandem would be a reasonable path to take on that front. Tampa Bay did, on the other hand, invest a third-round pick in Jalen McMillan last spring and he logged a 70% snap share as a rookie. Still, if Grizzard and the team have their way, Godwin will again be in the fold for 2025.
The pending free agent class at the receiver spot is headlined by Tee Higgins, but after that a number of veterans with injury histories of questions about declining play are set to reach the market. Godwin’s ACL tear coupled with the ankle injury which sidelined him last year could hinder his earning power, and a similar deal to the three-year, $60MM one he signed in 2022 may not be attainable at this point in his career. With Evans on the books for 2025, though, a short-term accord keeping Godwin in place can be expected.
How good would Godwin look in Bengals stripes? Tee Who?
I would do a sign and trade deal for Higgy Baby for Godwin
I would be down with that
Commanders need to be all over this signing. Skip the expensive tee Higgins contract especially with his injury history. Sign Godwin for half the money and invest in the defense and O Line.
Good receiver but injuries and age will limit him going forward. I could see him on another three year contract with diminishing AAV per year…46 million total…
16.25, 15.5, 14.25 or something like that on the low end and maybe 49 million on the high end…17.50, 16.25, 15.25
Let him walk. Solid B WR but injuries have derailed him heavy. He’d be a nice comp piece for dolphins bengals or jets
Buccaneers should franchise tag him for sure and work out a trade of some sorts
They don’t really have a franchise tag worthy player aside from Godwin
But with Evans McMillian emerging as a solid #2 the Bucs would be better off identifying a 3rd round receiver again and signing a cheaper veteran for depth.
He will be signed before FA hits. Licht and the org love keeping their own and culture guys. Godwin is a big part of the locker room and what they do on the field. He was leading in YAC before the injury. He had other stats that were top 3.