The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are Super Bowl Champions.
Now that the offseason has begun, the pursuit of back-to-back titles is the goal for the Bucs.
That is a challenge for any team, but potentially an even bigger one for the Bucs because of the amount and caliber of free agents they have.
Among those free agents is wide receiver Chris Godwin who is coming off a great season with 840 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns.
He added 232 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in the playoff and Super Bowl run.
Chris Godwin caught 85.7% of his targets when he lined up in the slot during the 2020 regular season
This was the highest rate among all pass catchers with at least 110 pass routes from the slot#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/Kr2LhKUXFs
— PFF TB Buccaneers (@PFF_Buccaneers) February 22, 2021
Godwin is likely to get many offers, but what are the three most likely landing spots for him for 2021.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It is a no-brainer.
Why would he want to leave a chance to repeat?
Another season catching passes from the GOAT has to be the most appealing offer possible.
Coach Arians talked about what Godwin means to the Bucs
“He brings so much more than targets. Look at what he does as an outside receiver and a slot receiver. He’s so unique in that regard. You put his blocking in there, he’s a huge part of what we do offensively. It’s more than stats. It’s also what the guy brings to the huddle. Chris is very, very unique.”
Godwin has been pretty blunt about his feelings.
It’s 🏆 over 💰 for Chris Godwin
(via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/zQJ1RVf8y6
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 24, 2021
His 4 year rookie contract with the Bucs was worth $3.2 million.
Some have speculated that the Bucs will use the franchise tag on Godwin.
On ESPN’s Get Up! Jeff Darlington spoke about the possibility of Godwin getting the franchise tag.
“Chris Godwin makes the most sense in a lot of ways. This is the guy that hasn’t gotten paid yet. He’s going to look for that big-dollar contract. Whether he can get that done now, he could definitely get it done elsewhere. Whether he can get it done with the Bucs is basically their decision.”
The Bucs have until March 9 to apply the franchise tag to Chris Godwin.
2. Miami Dolphins
For all of the reasons listed above as to why Godwin wants to stay put, these are the same reasons that would deter him from joining the Miami Dolphins.
Tua is inexperienced and not established so the adjustment of transitioning from Brady to Tua would be considerable.
The Dolphins have holes and could certainly use Godwin’s talent; they could also pay him.
He would also stay in Florida.
3. New York Jets/New England Patriots
Two teams are listed as the third option because they seem equally unlikely.
Neither has a starting quarterback or a supporting cast.
Both are in a rebuilding stage.
Working with Tom Brady‘s former coach could be slightly appealing to Godwin, but cold New England winters playing AFC East opponents just does not seem to be in line with what the soon-to-be 25-year-old Godwin wants to do.
If the Bucs do not tag Godwin by March 9, he becomes a free agent on March 17.
Teams can begin talking to Godwin’s agents on March 15.
Free agent signings begin on 4 pm EST on March 17.
