The Buccaneers keep investing at receiver. A year after agreeing to terms with Mike Evans on a third contract, Tampa Bay will bring back Chris Godwin.
They have agreed to a three-year, $66MM deal to retain Godwin, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported during an NFL Network appearance. Godwin will see $44MM guaranteed on this accord.
Godwin is believed to have left some money on the table to stay in Tampa, and the Bucs will keep Baker Mayfield‘s receiving corps intact. The cap-rich Patriots were believed to be readying a pursuit, but Godwin rejoined the Bucs shortly after the legal tampering period began. The second-leading pass catcher in franchise history continues to follow Evans. Tampa Bay, however, has the younger of its two receiver staples potentially in place to succeed Evans as the No. 1 option — as Evans is back in a contract year.
Although Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle seven games into last season, he did not see a chilled market. A report last week indicated the eight-year veteran could have approached $25MM per year. Godwin’s new deal will check in just south of that number, but he once again betters Evans’ contract. Godwin had previously done so when he inked a three-year, $60MM deal as Tampa Bay’s franchise player. The Bucs tagged Godwin twice earlier this decade, and despite drafting Jalen McMillan in Round 3 last year, their commitment to the Evans-Godwin partnership persists.
When Godwin went down last season, he ranked second in the NFL in receiving yardage (576 yards). Godwin had made it back from the ACL and MCL tears sustained in December 2021, but he did not quite look himself during the 2022 and ’23 campaigns. Still, Godwin surpassed 1,000 yards in each season, helping Mayfield rebound in 2023. The Bucs will give Godwin a chance to rebound and will pay plenty for this opportunity.
This takes the top wide receiver option, per PFR’s Top 50 Free Agent list, off the market. Godwin being three years younger than Davante Adams made him the top prize this offseason, with Tee Higgins again off the market. Tampa Bay again proves it can retain talent despite imminent free agency. Godwin’s deal follows the re-signings of Shaquil Barrett, Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean after each had entered a legal tampering period unattached.
More to come.
Good for Godwin. Good for the Bucs. Good for Mayfield. Good to see one of the best 1-2 receiver punches in recent NFL history kept together very likely as one-organization lifers.
I love it !!