A new era is dawning on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2026, and while Bucs fans had hoped before the offseason started that this would be in reference to Todd Bowles getting replaced as head coach - or even more wistfully, the Glazers leaving as owners - that statement has a more sad tone to it. The era of Lavonte David and Mike Evans in the Bay Area is over, as David retired and Evans chose to join the San Francisco 49ers.
So while the Buccaneers continue to scramble to find new inside linebackers besides just the signing of Alex Anzalone, they have shifted the entire wide receiver corps. Chris Godwin is the new No. 1, sophomore Emeka Egbuka steps into a big spot as the No. 2 guy for Baker Mayfield, and Tez Johnson and Jalen McMillan will be getting more targets. And that's not considering the possibility of a surprise move for a top wide receiver in round one, should a player Jason Licht loves be available with the No. 15 overall pick. (Could you imagine Egbuka and Carnell Tate together?)
Throughout his NFL career, Godwin has been one of the best sidekicks in the league, and now it is his time to be "the guy" permanently for Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles still has high hopes for this group even without Mike Evans around, and he spoke a little bit about Godwin, in particular.
Chris Godwin can get back to 1,000 yards in 2026
Via the Pewter Report, Bowles made a prediction that he thinks Chris Godwin can get back to 1,000 receiving yards in the 2026 NFL season. It's a mark the former third -round pick out of Penn State has hit four times in his career, including three seasons in a row from 2021 to 2023 when he was one of the top receivers in the league.
Really, the only reason why Godwin hasn't come close to hitting 1,000 yards in the two seasons since the 2023 campaign is injuries. If Godwin can stay healthy, there's no reason why he shouldn't hit 1,000, and in the theoretical prime of his career at 30, there's no reason why he shouldn't threaten for 1,400 yards or even 1,500 in a 17-game season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' No. 1 wideout with Baker Mayfield as his quarterback.
Chris Godwin is, on paper, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and he has plenty of help to take pressure off him, especially if Emeka Egbuka takes a big step in 2026. Now, 1,000 yards is the minimum Godwin should be hitting as the No. 1 guy. The only thing stopping him from that mark is being healthy, so Bowles's prediction is one that needs to happen for the Bucs to be successful. The Bucs need a full season out of this guy again.