Engines are beginning to rev louder and louder as teams across the NFL prepare to race into the offseason. For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers it's already been a bit of a wild time, with the Liam Coen saga unexpectedly dwarfing all of the other things on the team's to-do list.
Now that the dust has settled on that, the Bucs can turn their attention back to that list. Near the top is figuring out what happens with Chris Godwin's future and whether or not he'll be back in Tampa Bay.
Free agency doesn't open until March, but between now and then, there will be plenty of chatter about Godwin. He's set to hit the market as a Top 10 free agent and will no doubt have a line of suitors ready to open up the checkbook to get him into their offense.
This is a situation similar to what the Bucs dealt with last offseason, with Mike Evans getting interest from the Texans and Chiefs, and the same is expected to happen as far as teams trying to steal Godwin away from Tampa Bay. Evans ended up not going anywhere, though, and early signs continue to point toward the same thing playing out with Godwin when all is said and done.
Buccaneers preparing to 'do everything in their power' to re-sign Chris Godwin this offseason
According to ESPN insider Jenna Laine, the Buccaneers aren't letting any of the free agency noise deter them. Not only does the team want Godwin back, which goes without saying, but they're reportedly ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
That's a fantastic message to be telegraphing, and there's nothing about Tampa Bay's history to suggest they're not serious about making good on their word.
"Let's just get this out of the way now. Sources told ESPN the Bucs absolutely want Godwin back and will do everything in their power to make that happen, with no concern about his recovery from a dislocated left ankle in Week 7," Laine reported.
Godwin's situation is up in the air, but it also feels like a natural continuation from last offseason. Both Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans were set to hit free agency but neither of them ended up getting there. Rather than allowing two of their best players to reach the open market, Tampa Bay did right by both of them and gave them rich new contracts.
What made it great was that the Bucs didn't break the bank but still managed to pay Evans and Mayfield a fair price. That's always seemed like the logical conclusion to the Godwin situation, as loyalty is currency no other team can use the way Tampa Bay can.
Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Tristan Wirfs all signed new deals next year to avoid free agency and remain in Tampa Bay. Lavonte David has twice done the same thing and could go for the trifecta this offseason. Jordan Whitehead and Mike Edwards, who were both cap casualties a few years ago, returned to the Bucs as well.
Tampa Bay is a place players want to be, especially ones who have already been there. Godwin is going to get offered top dollar to go places like Jacksonville and Las Vegas, and nobody would fault him for cashing in on all he's done. Sticking in Tampa Bay while not having to comprise much on his market value is also on the table, and it's an option that not only makes a ton of sense when you consider all the pieces but it's starting to logistically sound like the most realistic outcome on the table.
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