BREAKING: Buccaneers Receive Major Injury Update on Chris Godwin After Serious Concerns

Joe firmly believes that good players in the NFL should be rewarded simply because they are good people. Few players exemplify that better than Chris Godwin, making his injury against the Ravens last season even more unfortunate. Not only did it sideline him, but it may have also cost him millions in future earnings.

With free agency looming on March 12, Godwin’s future remains uncertain. Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles haven’t given reassuring signals, leaving doubts about whether the team will extend him before he hits the market. While the Bucs value and respect Godwin, concerns over his injury history seem to be making them hesitant to commit a large contract.

Joe understands the team’s cautious approach.

At the NFL Combine, an executive revealed off the record that Godwin’s market value is expected to be significantly lower than the $20 million per year that some analysts have speculated. Despite reports suggesting he could command a high-end deal, Joe was told that won’t happen due to his age (29) and the fact that he has suffered two major injuries in the past four seasons.

Former Giants and Eagles reporter Matt Lombardo echoed this sentiment. He cited an anonymous agent who claimed Godwin likely won’t even secure $15 million annually, much less $20 million.

In his column Between the Hashmarks, Lombardo noted that another agent compared Godwin’s potential deal to DeAndre Hopkins’ two-year, $26 million contract. Given the Buccaneers’ limited cap space and their emerging young receivers behind Mike Evans, even that figure might be too high for them, despite how much Licht values Godwin.

If Godwin signs for around $13 million per year, that would be a drastic drop from initial projections. Over two years, his injury could cost him roughly $14 million in lost earnings.

Another agent suggested that Godwin might have to accept a short-term “prove-it” deal—potentially with another team—to demonstrate that his ankle is fully healed and that he can still play at a high level without injury concerns.