Chris Godwin is staying put. The Super Bowl champion’s future remains exactly where his career began. Godwin is reportedly re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a three-year deal to kick off NFL free agency this year.
Godwin suffered a significant injury last season, cutting short a strong start. However, the Buccaneers rewarded him for his performance and years of service with a new contract. Alongside Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers’ offense looks poised to pick up where it left off last season.
Chris Godwin Returns to Tampa Bay
Godwin reportedly agreed to a three-year, $66 million deal, with $45 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. With the strong wide receiver market in this free agency cycle, Godwin could have earned more elsewhere. Instead, he chose to stay with the team that gave him his start.
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Godwin is getting his well-earned payday after eight seasons with Tampa Bay. He won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and now gets to celebrate again after securing a long-term deal to chase another championship with the franchise.
Godwin and Evans remain one of the most productive receiving duos in the NFL. Evans has recorded 1,000 receiving yards in all 11 of his seasons — a feat that cements his Hall of Fame case.
Meanwhile, Godwin posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons before his injury-shortened 2024 campaign. He was on pace for well over 1,000 yards, finishing with 576 yards in just seven games.
The Buccaneers will be thrilled to have Godwin back, as his consistency and loyalty played a big role in negotiations. He left money on the table, especially after DK Metcalf’s massive extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers following his trade from the Seattle Seahawks. However, after years of good treatment in Tampa Bay, Godwin chose to run it back for three more seasons.
Buccaneers Running It Back on Offense
The Buccaneers’ offense remains intact. Mayfield, Godwin, Evans, and the running back duo of Rachaad White and rookie Bucky Irving are all set to return. With Jalen McMillan rounding out the wide receiver group, Tampa Bay’s offense should be electric once again.
However, they will have to adjust to a new offensive coordinator for the third straight year. Both Dave Canales and Liam Coen landed head coaching jobs after just one season as Tampa Bay’s offensive play-caller. Now, it’s up to new coordinator Josh Grizzard to keep this high-powered offense rolling.
After a career year, Mayfield will be thrilled to have his top two receivers back. He threw for 41 touchdowns and 4,500 yards, earning a top-11 finish in the NFL Offensive Player of the Year voting. Keeping Godwin is a huge boost for Mayfield and the Buccaneers as they look to replicate last season’s success.
The Bucs secured their guy for three more years, and they couldn’t be happier. In a market where he could have earned more, Godwin chose to stay home — and still landed a significant payday. While Tampa Bay celebrates, other teams are left wondering what could have been, as one of the top wide receivers on the market is now off the board.