Let’s speak about Chris Godwin, we could?
The extra thrilling durations of the Bucs offseason are over with, as pre-draft scouting, free company, the NFL Draft, OTAs and mini-camps are over. Meaning it’s time to settle in for what feels just like the longest of waits earlier than coaching camp will get underway in late July.
The canine days of the NFL offseason are all about storylines for the upcoming season. Media and followers alike spend the times of June and July passing the time with discourse surrounding all types of rankings, in addition to the massive tales which are sure to return up when the season begins in September.
So, with that in thoughts, the thought right here is to slender in on a number of the Bucs’ greatest stars and go player-by-player to dive into the massive storylines which are in retailer for the 2024 season. After beginning with quarterback Baker Mayfield and vast receiver Mike Evans, we transfer ahead immediately with legendary Tampa Bay vast receiver Mike Evans.
Bucs Storylines: Chris Godwin
Listed below are three massive storylines surrounding Bucs vast receiver Chris Godwin in 2024:
Will 2024 Be Chris Godwin’s Last 12 months With The Bucs?
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Getting into 2024, there’s no larger subject of dialog surrounding Godwin that’s larger than his contract standing and together with it, his future in Tampa Bay. Consider it or not, he’s set to start his eighth 12 months within the league, and naturally so far, he’s been a profession Buc.
However that is the ultimate 12 months of the three-year contract he signed after the 2021 season, and given the crew’s dedication to paying No. 1 receiver Mike Evans – which it did this offseason – it’s honest to query whether or not Godwin will get one other extension from Jason Licht and Co. subsequent spring. Can the Bucs afford to dole out $20 million-plus to 2 receivers subsequent 12 months?
It’s a query the crew could not but know the reply to. Evans will probably be 32 in the course of the 2025 season, whereas Godwin will probably be 29. The 2 receivers are the perfect in Bucs historical past, and there’s no denying that. However will the crew contemplate beginning a refresh on the receiver place after the 2 crew legends have led the way in which for thus lengthy? It’ll in the end depend upon what Godwin does this season. He could show his price and make it inconceivable for the Bucs brass to maneuver on from him. In fact, the alternative may occur and a down 12 months may make it simpler for the crew’s decision-makers to see a future with out their 2017 third-round choose.
That’s why it’s notable that the Bucs are making Godwin play out the 2024 season as a contract 12 months. Tampa Bay did the identical factor with Evans final 12 months, and Evans turned in probably the greatest seasons of his profession and made one other Professional Bowl. Will Godwin comply with go well with and put collectively a giant 12 months (say, one other 1,000-yard season and extra touchdowns… however extra on that later), resulting in a brand new contract in Tampa Bay? One factor is for positive, and it’s that Godwin could be relied on to be a consummate skilled and an incredible captain and chief for the crew the way in which he all the time has been. The longer term will work itself out finally.
What Will A Transfer Again To The Slot Do For Chris Godwin?
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
When Bruce Arians took over as Bucs head coach in 2019, Godwin kicked inside and performed nearly all of his snaps from the slot. He took on an identical position to the one the legendary Larry Fitzgerald had when he performed underneath Arians in Arizona. The transfer instantly led to the perfect season of Godwin’s profession, as he caught 86 passes for a career-high 1,333 yards and 9 touchdowns – additionally a profession finest.
That was the 2017 third-round choose’s lone Professional Bowl season in Tampa Bay, and he continued to reap the advantages of that slot position in 2020 (840 yards, seven touchdowns) and 2021 (1,103 yards, 5 touchdowns). And in 2022, even coming off the torn ACL/MCL in December 2021, Godwin put up one other 1,000-yard season – although his landing complete dipped to a few.
Then, when Dave Canales changed Byron Leftwich because the Bucs’ offensive coordinator in 2023, he had Godwin primarily line up outdoors. He nonetheless totaled 1,000 yards for the third straight season, however he scored simply two touchdowns and wasn’t the engine of the offense the way in which he had been within the Arians/Leftwich system.
Chris Godwin’s Alignment Breakdown: Slot Snaps vs. Huge Snaps
2017: 87 slot, 340 wide2018: 215 slot, 476 wide2019: 518 slot, 349 wide2020: 519 slot, 357 wide2021: 509 slot, 303 wide2022: 628 slot, 311 wide2023: 335 slot, 655 vast
With Canales now gone to be the top coach in Carolina, Liam Coen is in as Tampa Bay’s new play-caller and he, together with new receivers coach Bryan McClendon, plan to maneuver Godwin again to enjoying extra snaps within the slot. So, what’s going to that appear like for the eighth-year receiver and what’s going to the alignment cut up appear like? McClendon spoke about Godwin’s versatility earlier this offseason and applauded his skill to do regardless of the crew asks of him. So with one other versatile receiver within the room in rookie Jalen McMillan, Coen and McClendon have choices.
However contemplating No. 14’s finest soccer got here from the slot, enjoying him inside extra usually in 2024 may result in larger manufacturing – which might be enormous for each the offense and for Godwin himself in a contract 12 months.
Can Chris Godwin Up His Landing Whole And Prolong His Personal 1,000-Yard Season Streak?
Bucs WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Even enjoying what was perceived as a lesser position final season whereas enjoying in Dave Canales’ offense, Godwin nonetheless managed to place collectively a 3rd consecutive 1,000-yard marketing campaign. It was the fourth 1,000-yard season of his profession and whereas his three-year streak could seem minor in comparison with Mike Evans’ 10-year streak, the truth that he’s managed to cross that 1,000-yard threshold whereas being the No. 2 (or No. 1A) to Evans is spectacular in its personal proper.
However as a lot intrigue as there’s about Godwin making an attempt to increase his streak to 4 years, it’s his landing output that he actually wants to enhance upon in 2024.
After totaling 21 touchdowns between 2019 and 2021, Godwin has simply 5 within the final two seasons mixed. He’s nonetheless tied with Jimmie Giles for the second-most receiving touchdowns in franchise historical past (34), however he hasn’t discovered the top zone with sufficient regularity these final two seasons. The transfer again to the slot may assist carry the perfect out of him and assist him discover the top zone the way in which it did in his prime years underneath Bruce Arians. The Bucs are actually hoping that’s the case, because the offense has been reliant on Evans being the lone landing producer over the past couple of years.
Evans solely had six touchdowns in 2022, however with simply three, Godwin wasn’t even No. 2 on the crew. With 5, that spot belonged to Russell Gage. Then, in 2023, Evans had 13 receiving scores and Godwin had simply two, which was fewer than tight finish Cade Otton (4), operating again Rachaad White (three) and rookie receiver Trey Palmer (three). If Tampa Bay needs to take the subsequent step offensively in 2024, it wants Godwin to kick it up a notch and be the No. 2 landing man, maybe with 5-7.
And, prone to mentioning the contract 12 months side of this entire factor a 3rd time in three subjects, extra landing manufacturing in 2024 would solely assist Godwin subsequent offseason. Whether or not he’s trying to re-sign with the Bucs or transfer on, 1,000-plus yards and 6 or seven touchdowns is bound to garner him a much bigger contract than 1,000-plus yards and two or three scores – so simple as which will sound.
