The Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again ensured that a fan favorite remained with the team, re-signing Chris Godwin to a three-year deal worth $66 million. Godwin will earn $44 million guaranteed and it's a well-deserved contract for the long-time Bucs receiver.
The bigger story that came with Godwin sticking with the team that drafted him is the fact that he reportedly left at least $20 million on the table. Had Godwin signed elsewhere, he'd have received a more lucrative contract but that didn't seem to matter to the former third-round pick.
So, what prompted Godwin to stay in Tampa? According to Greg Auman on X, Godwin said that family played a role in the decision.
“Family and staying true to who I am,” Godwin said and added that last season was tough for him, noting, “2024 kicked my ass a little bit." Godwin not only suffered an ankle injury midway through the 2024 season but lost his father as well. The Bucs wideout also commented on how he's not motivated by money, making the decision easy for him because the Buccaneers felt like family.
Chris Godwin's reasons for re-signing with Bucs make perfect sense
Godwin, a third-round pick by the Bucs in 2017 out of Penn State, has spent the entirety of his career in Tampa. By Year 2, he was a major threat in the offense and it's been fun to see him and Mike Evans make things difficult for opposing defenses.
Godwin was a part of the 2020 Super Bowl winning Bucs roster and he's a fan favorite for sure. While fans were hoping that he'd stick with the team that drafted him, sometimes players want to sign the most lucrative deal they can and no one can blame them for that. It's good to see that Godwin isn't like that and wants to play where he feels the most appreciated.
Bucs fans are thrilled to have Godwin for the next three years and hopefully the team can win another Super Bowl with him on the roster.