Chris Godwin News: Leads WR room post-Evans
Godwin is the veteran leader of Tampa Bay's WR room following Mike Evans' departure to San Francisco, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
The Bucs signed Godwin to a three-year, $66 million contract last offseason, at which time he was rehabbing from a complicated leg/ankle injury. He ended up playing just nine games in 2025, finishing with a 33-360-2 receiving line, which was a massive drop-off from his 2024 line of 50-575-5 (in only seven games). Prior to the severe injury, he'd been well on his way to a fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season. Godwin now has a shot to get back to that kind of volume, though it's far from guaranteed at age 30, coming off consecutive injury-shortened seasons. Emeka Egbuka may be ready to take over as the No. 1 receiver in Tampa Bay, while there will be additional competition for targets coming from Jalen McMillan, running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, and tight end Cade Otton. The Bucs could also add a wide receiver in April's draft, with the 15th overall pick or a later selection. Godwin's 2026 base salary of $22 million is already guaranteed, and the Bucs hold a club option for 2027 worth a $20.5 million base salary with a $1.5 million roster bonus.
