Buccaneers: How the Chris Godwin franchise tag impacts free agency
By Rob Leeds
Chris Godwin is returning to the Buccaneers. Here’s what that means:
The Buccaneers are bringing back one of the best receivers in the NFL for 2021. Chris Godwin is staying put via the franchise tag, and now the race is on for the Bucs to free up more cap space.
Without Shaquil Barrett, who should be the most expensive free agent on the team, the Buccaneers are now almost four million dollars over the projected salary cap of 180 million dollars, but that could change based on an announcement from the NFL soon.
We aren’t holding our breath.
Now, the Buccaneers have shown their hand, and we have a much better idea of how this offseason will go.
If we’re being realistic, the Bucs have to free up at least another eight million dollars to be in a good spot to sign rookies and depth free agents. Making moves like this with around 12-13 million dollars is not unheard of, but the seven million for the rookies is almost a necessity. The depth just helps.
The Buccaneers also have some added difficulties associated with the franchise tag outside of the rookies and free agents. The issue with the tag is that all of it is paid in 2021. There is no way to front-load or backload the deal, and Tampa Bay will have to reach a long-term extension with Godwin soon to prevent any additional losses.