Just as everyone expected, Chris Godwin didn't last long in free agency but his landing spot wasn't what most were predicting. While last-minute noise suggested that a team like the Jaguars or Patriots could swoop in and sign him away, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended up getting a deal done that will bring one of the best recievers in the league back to Tampa Bay.
It was a stressful journey, but we luckily ended up exactly where it all seemed like this was going to go.
Tampa Bay was first in line to start making waves, first signing Haason Reddick to a one-year deal in order to help address pass rush issues but that was merely an appetizer to the deal everyone was looking forward to.
Simply put, there was no way the Buccaneers could afford to let Godwin get away and that scenario was avoided in almost exactly the way we thought. All along, despite the outside noise, signs pointed to Godwin returning to Tampa Bay. It was the place that made the most sense for his long-term success and the team was never going to nickel-and-dime him when it came to paying him fairly.
In the end, this all played out the way we thought.
Buccaneers re-sign Chris Godwin to a $66 million deal
Godwin returns to Tampa Bay on a three-year deal worth $66 million, which puts him in the range of $22 million AAV and is almost exactly what his market value was predicted as being. A report over the weekend rattled some fans when figures as high as $28 million were tossed out, a rumor that was followed by DK Metcalf getting traded to the Steelers and handed a $150 million extension.
That seemed to suggest the market for Godwin might be out of Tampa Bay's comfort zone, but all of that was overlooking some key variables that weren't as quantifiable as some of the stuff being passed off in rumors.
Godwin leaving wasn't a hard arguement to make in the traditional sense that he'd likely get more money if he signed somewhere other than Tampa Bay. The Jaguars cleared the deck last week to free up tons of cap space and the Pariots were armed with enough moeny to outbid the Bucs.
What they didn't offer, though, was stability. Godwin knows Tampa Bay's offense and has a clearly defined role in it both next season and beyond. He has a good relationship with Baker Mayfield, is a leader in the locker room, and is beloved by everyone in the building. This was never about paying Godwin the most money, it was about giving him a fair deal that makes him feel appreciated while putting him in the best position to succeed.
That was always Tampa Bay, so it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that he stayed.
If anything, Godwin becoming the latest top free agent to forgoe more money on the open market to return to the Bucs is yet another feather in the cap of one of the most well-run organizations in football.
Grade: A+
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