NFL trade rumors are always rampant near the official trade deadline, and this year is no different. With the league allowing trades to be submitted up until 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 31, the league is just about five days away from the deadline, and moves are surely going to be made.
With some teams realizing that this year may not be their year, others may be a piece away from truly competing for a Super Bowl. With such aspirations in mind, big-name players get tossed around leading up to the final hour, and for two Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers, it looks as if they’re squarely in the mix.
The Buccaneers are in the race for the NFC South right now, but it’s a big leap to think they are winning the Super Bowl with their current roster. Could it be worth trading away some big assets and big contracts to get a return now?
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Latest NFL Trade Rumors Regarding Chris Godwin
While it had been reported by insiders that Godwin could’ve been on the move leading up to the season, that did not come to fruition. However, fast forward to the current day, and there’s a feeling that Godwin being on the move may once again make sense to explore.
Godwin currently has a base salary of just over $1 million for this season, making this season palatable for a team looking to add him. However, that salary jumps to $20 million next season.
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Essentially, Godwin could come as a cheap option this season but will cost the team acquiring him in a big way next year, when he may also want a new contract.
For the Buccaneers, there are several complications involved financially. Due to void years in the deal, Godwin would leave behind a total of $35 million in dead money between 2023 and 2024. Trading him would see the Buccaneers’ cap number reduce slightly in 2023, but they would carry a dead cap of $26.386 million next year.
The Bucs’ WR has yet to score a touchdown this season, and while Tampa Bay is currently in the mix for a division title, the feeling around the league is that they’re in a bit of a no-man’s land in their post-Tom Brady era.
A team that has talent and can win games, but is it enough to get over the hump? If not, would it be worth looking at the future and building for it now?
For the Buccaneers, it’s as simple as this. Do you want to pay Godwin $20 million in salary next year and carry $18 million in dead money in 2025? The alternative option is to offload Godwin now, save the $20 million in cash in 2024, and actually see his cap hit in 2024 reduce a little.
Latest Trade Rumors Regarding Mike Evans
While Godwin is being discussed, Evans is the more productive and consistent option of the two. Evans is widely respected as being one of the better veteran wideouts in the league and will always raise eyebrows if he were to become available via trade.
Evans’ name has been thrown around a lot lately, and while that may be real or not, it’s getting attention. And given his favorable contract, never say never on a potential deal getting done.
Evans’ current base salary for the season is $13 million. It’s much more than what Godwin is commanding this season, but it is Evans’ last year under the deal before he becomes a free agent. A team may opt to try and rent Evans for a title push and have the inside track to signing him in the offseason if they so choose.
Trading for Evans would bring just over half of that salary for the remainder of the year (approximately $7 million). That’s not a big cost at all for the acquiring team to get a receiver of his caliber.
For the Buccaneers, the financials are not that much different to what they already have. Evans will count $12.198 million against the cap in 2024 unless they extend him. If that’s not in the plan, that number doesn’t change whether they trade him now or let his contract void at the end of the season. All they would be doing is saving around $7 million in cap space in 2023 and potentially getting some longer-term assets in return.
A move for Evans is the textbook “all-in” move a team can make. A proven, respected wide receiver who has been doing this for a long time and still capable of making plays with a favorable contract. It feels like a no-brainer for some contenders. The question remains, though, if the Buccaneers are willing to part ways.
