The veteran’s serious injury last season has the team treading carefully.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers navigating the complexities of the offseason, and General Manager Jason Licht has made it clear that retaining veteran receiver Chris Godwin remains a top priority, despite the uncertainties surrounding his injury history. With the NFL free agency period looming, the Bucs have taken a significant step toward keeping Godwin in Tampa Bay by adjusting the timeline of his contract’s voidable year, signaling their commitment to finding a workable solution.
Speaking on the situation and how it may alter the team’s plans, Licht expressed optimism about Godwin’s future with team.
“I wouldn’t say change at all. The facts are he had a serious injury, missed a lot of time, and there’s still some uncertainty with any injury like that at this point,” Licht said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We moved the void [year date] so it gives us more options and more flexibility as it pertains to him. We’ve just got to make a good decision. We, hopefully, can come to an agreement with him because Chris means the world to this organization – to all of us individually, but to the organization as a whole, nobody has been more resilient than him. We’ve been down this road before, a similar path with him. Nobody has been more resilient and works harder than him. Those are the good things. If I were a betting man, I’d bet on Chris. Still, the facts are that we have to wade through some variables here.”
Godwin’s resilience is well-documented. After tearing his ACL in 2021, he bounced back to deliver consistent production, including a 2023 season where he eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. His toughness and work ethic have made him a locker room leader and a fan favorite, qualities that Licht and the Bucs are banking on as they weigh their options. However, the “variables” Licht mentioned—namely Godwin’s recovery timeline and long-term health—introduce a layer of caution into the negotiations. At 29 years old (turning 30 in February 2026), Godwin remains in his prime, yet the team must somehow balance their emotional attachment with the unfortunate financial realities of the NFL.
Godwin, despite the injury challenges, remains a cornerstone of the Buccaneers’ offense since being drafted in 2017. Injuries could certainly cast doubt on his immediate future but it hasn’t diminished the organization’s belief in his value.