Chris Godwin or Mike Evans: Can the Buccaneers afford both?
By Rob Leeds
The future in Tampa Bay
The immediate impact of this move is not going to change the trajectory of the team just yet. As previously mentioned, the Bucs are underpaying for several important positions, and they can take advantage of that, at least for the next season.
Chris Godwin will be happy with the extension, and the Bucs will be covering their bases by re-signing him before he becomes too expensive.
The issues will start to come to light when the Bucs are forced to start making decisions after next year with players like Davis and Barrett longterm. Both bring value to the team as the starters for their positions, and letting them walk because they are too expensive could be a casualty of the preemptive Godwin deal.
The Buccaneers are an offensive team, and that much doesn’t look ready to change any time soon, but the defense, which has already suffered for the better part of a decade, could stand to suffer even more if it starts to lose players that the Bucs can’t meet the market average for.
The Cowboys are a prime example of this. After shelling out a massive contract to Ezekiel Elliott, they were forced to let corner Byron Jones walk in free agency, completely changing the future for a once-promising defense.
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An important thing to remember is that it is much easier to find a cheap WR2 in free agency than it is to find a starter at corner or pass rusher. The Bucs may be going all-in right now, but if Godwin is signed to the big contract that is expected, it is worth wondering if he and Evans will both make it through the entirety of their contracts based on price and need.