Let’s speak about Chris Godwin, lets?
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. Which means 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 large tales which are sure to return up when the season begins in September.
So, with that in thoughts, the concept right here is to slender in on a few of the Bucs’ largest stars and go player-by-player to dive into the large storylines which are in retailer for the 2024 season. After beginning with quarterback Baker Mayfield and extensive receiver Mike Evans, we transfer ahead in the present day with legendary Tampa Bay extensive receiver Mike Evans.
Bucs Storylines: Chris Godwin
Listed here are three large storylines surrounding Bucs extensive receiver Chris Godwin in 2024:
Will 2024 Be Chris Godwin’s Remaining 12 months With The Bucs?
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Getting into 2024, there’s no greater subject of dialog surrounding Godwin that’s greater than his contract standing and together with it, his future in Tampa Bay. Consider it or not, he’s set to start his eighth yr within the league, and naturally thus far, he’s been a profession Buc.
However that is the ultimate yr of the three-year contract he signed after the 2021 season, and given the group’s dedication to paying No. 1 receiver Mike Evans – which it did this offseason – it’s truthful 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 yr?
It’s a query the group could not but know the reply to. Evans will probably be 32 through the 2025 season, whereas Godwin will probably be 29. The 2 receivers are the very best in Bucs historical past, and there’s no denying that. However will the group think about beginning a refresh on the receiver place after the 2 group legends have led the way in which for therefore lengthy? It’ll in the end rely upon what Godwin does this season. He could show his value and make it inconceivable for the Bucs brass to maneuver on from him. In fact, the alternative may occur and a down yr may make it simpler for the group’s decision-makers to see a future with out their 2017 third-round decide.
That’s why it’s notable that the Bucs are making Godwin play out the 2024 season as a contract yr. Tampa Bay did the identical factor with Evans final yr, and Evans turned in the most effective seasons of his profession and made one other Professional Bowl. Will Godwin comply with go well with and put collectively a giant yr (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 ideal captain and chief for the group the way in which he all the time has been. The longer term will work itself out ultimately.
What Will A Transfer Again To The Slot Do For Chris Godwin?
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photograph 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 the same function to the one the legendary Larry Fitzgerald had when he performed beneath Arians in Arizona. The transfer instantly led to the very best 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 decide’s lone Professional Bowl season in Tampa Bay, and he continued to reap the advantages of that slot function 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 whole 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. Broad 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 extensive
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 break up appear like? McClendon spoke about Godwin’s versatility earlier this offseason and applauded his skill to do regardless of the group 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 typically in 2024 may result in greater manufacturing – which might be large for each the offense and for Godwin himself in a contract yr.
Can Chris Godwin Up His Landing Whole And Lengthen His Personal 1,000-Yard Season Streak?
Bucs WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Even enjoying what was perceived as a lesser function 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 attempting 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 tip zone with sufficient regularity these final two seasons. The transfer again to the slot may assist deliver the very best out of him and assist him discover the tip zone the way in which it did in his prime years beneath Bruce Arians. The Bucs are actually hoping that’s the case, because the offense has been reliant on Evans being the lone landing producer during the last couple of years.
Evans solely had six touchdowns in 2022, however with simply three, Godwin wasn’t even No. 2 on the group. 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 following 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, susceptible to mentioning the contract yr side of this entire factor a 3rd time in three matters, 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 that will sound.
