Buccaneers GM Jason Licht reaffirms Chris Godwin wanted back: 'Hard to imagine a Bucs offense without him'
The Buccaneers would like to re-sign Godwin this offseason
By
Jeff Kerr
•
1 min read
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made it no secret they want Chris Godwin back in the fold for next season and beyond, hoping to work out a long-term extension with the talented wide receiver. The ACL surgery that ended Godwin's 2021 season won't stop Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht from getting a deal done.
"From what I understand, his rehab is going well. He's been a special player, as well, for us. He's really overachieved in relation to where he was drafted and where we got him," Licht said at the NFL Scouting Combine Tuesday. "It's hard to imagine a Buccaneers offense without Chris Godwin, and we would love to have him back. We'll continue to try and work towards that."
Playing under the franchise tag in 2021, Godwin lived up to his $15,983,000 salary. Godwin finished with 98 catches for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns in just 14 games, his second 1,000-yard season in three years. Godwin's seven receptions per game in 2021 were third in the NFL and 78.8 receiving yards per game were seventh in the league.
Godwin is expected to get paid this offseason, even with his injury history. Godwin has averaged 81.9 receiving yards per game since the start of the 2019 season, fourth in the NFL. His 53 catches of 20-plus yards since the start of 2019 are third in the league and his 1,443 yards after the catch are fourth in the NFL. One of the best slot receivers in the game, Godwin has 152 catches (fifth in NFL), 2,082 yards (fourth), and 11 touchdowns (tied for eighth) from the slot over the last three years -- despite missing nine games with injuries.
Bruce Arians also gave his endorsement for Godwin's return, comparing the wide receiver to some of the great pass catchers he's coached.
"Yeah, I've only had two before – Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald – so I don't really want to lose Chris," Arians said. "They're hard, hard to find. Reggie Wayne too, he's the other one."
The Buccaneers would be wise not to allow Godwin to hit the open market. Licht seems to have a plan in place to make sure a deal is done sooner rather than later.
