Among the big decisions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to make this offseason is determining what happens with Chris Godwin. He’s set to become a free agent when the new league year begins in early March, and there will be plenty of interest in him from teams looking to sign one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
It’s the Bucs job to make sure that doesn’t happen.
We’ve been down this road before, as last offseason a similar path was traveled with Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. Both were slated to hit the open market but neither actually did as they signed extensions to remain in Tampa Bay. That’s the hope with Godwin, although it might be a trickier route to getting to the same conclusion.
Like Evans and Mayfield, all indications are that testing free agency is very much on the table but that’s not at the expense of a return to the Bucs. Just because Godwin talks with other teams doesn’t mean he’s a goner, in fact everything we keep hearing about the situation suggests this will end pleasantly for fans nervous about losing Godwin.
Chris Godwin might have moved a step closer to re-signing with Buccaneers
NFC South insider Greg Auman reported on the latest development surrounding Godwin’s situation and it all sounds like good news. While no deal is imminent, both sides agreed to move the void date on his contract, which is a pretty clear sign that everyone is working together to get something done.
”Chris Godwin’s current contract was due to void, triggering $18 million in dead money against the Bucs’ 2025 cap, but the two sides agreed to move that void date to the final day of the league year,”Auman reported. “Buys them time to work out a new deal and keep some 2025 cap savings.”
This is a tremendous update, especially on the heels of a report that the Bucs don’t plan on using the franchise tag on Godwin this offseason. It makes perfect financial sense to not use the tag on him, but the downside is that it takes away the potential to extend the negotiating window and puts pressure on getting something done before free agency opens.
For those wondering why the Bucs aren’t using the franchise tag on Godwin, it’s all about the money. He’s already been tagged twice, which means he’d be due the sort of money quarterbacks get paid on the tag which is an outrageous amount for anyone let alone a wide receiver. It doesn’t make any sense to potentially pay Godwin more than what the two sides would be able to agree upon for a deal that keep him in Tampa Bay for more than just one year.
While this latest update doesn’t mean a deal is happening anytime soon, the reason to get excited is it’s a pretty clear indication that there’s mutual interest in getting a deal done. The Bucs are reportedly going to do everything they can to bring him back, and Godwin working with the team to move around deadline is a sign that talks are happening in good faith.
There’s still a chance that Godwin leaves in free agency, but all signs continue to point toward something getting done that brings a beloved member of the organization back to a place he very clearly wants to stay.
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