Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to move off Chris Godwin

It’s being reported today that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are prepared to franchise tag star wide receiver Chris Godwin for the second year in a row. Since it would be his second year on the franchise tag, he would earn 120% of his 2021 salary, which means he would make around $19 million this coming year.

All that being said, it would be an awful idea for the Buccaneers to bring Godwin back.

You will be hard-pressed to find someone who will question the talent of the star receiver, not to mention his grossly under-valued blocking ability. However, having a talented receiving corps is far from the Bucs’ largest issue next year.

Time and time again, the league has seen incredibly talented wide receivers offer little positive impact to teams when the QB isn’t right. And for the Bucs next season, the QB is certainly not right.

Even if Godwin were to come back, the Bucs are not going to win a Super Bowl with Blaine Gabbert or Kyle Trask at the quarterback position, regardless of the caliber of wide receivers you give them. So, why spend the money on Godwin if you’re basically throwing money away?

Additionally, Godwin does have a major liability the Bucs need to consider before re-signing him; his body.

Godwin has missed over three games in each of the last two seasons, and even when he has been able to play, is often dealing with pain or lingering injuries. Given his young age and the number of injuries he has already suffered, it’s more than likely he continues to get injured as his career progresses.

If the Bucs are considering paying a wide receiver $19 million, a position that has very little impact on the game relative to other positions given its high reliance on the QB’s ability, they need to be healthy all year, not injured for a quarter of the season.

Godwin has been a great teammate and contributor to the Buccaneers organization over the last few years, but the Bucs need to use that money to rebuild their struggling secondary or offensive line.

The front office needs to wish Chris Godwin the best, then let him go get his money from another team that will pay him that much.