NFL Rumors: Bucs remain 'optimistic' they can re-sign Chris Godwin
NFL Rumors: Bucs remain 'optimistic' they can re-sign Chris Godwin
The NFL Scouting Combine allows teams and agents to discuss the basis of their future dealings, unofficially, of course. That being said, some good news came out of the combine, as unofficial as it may seem, involving the Bucs and Chris Godwin.
ESPN insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler recapped everything they heard from folks from all 32 NFL teams, including the Bucs. Chris Godwin is a looming free agent who will complicate the team's case when it comes time to securing a new deal. Dan Graziano doesn't discuss the idea of a new deal in depth, but he shares some good news.
ESPN's Dan Graziano writes, "The Buccaneers continue to work to bring back wide receiver Chris Godwin before he hits the free agent market. It's unclear at this point whether they can reach an agreement, but the hallmark of Tampa Bay's 2024 free agency was its ability to retain its own, including Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield -- so they're optimistic about their chances of reaching a deal with Godwin."
The team has made it clear that they want to have Godwin return. General Manager Jason Licht said those words during the Scouting Combine and we all know how important he is. That being said, when the likes of Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir are securing a four-year, $60 million deal, it is going to complicate his contract talks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Labeled Simply 'Playoff Hopefuls' in Latest NFL Offseason Rankings
Buccaneers Labeled Simply 'Playoff Hopefuls' in Latest NFL Offseason Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Most NFL teams have finished their mandatory minicamps, while others will complete that in the upcoming week. Advertisement Draft picks have settled in with their respective teams, well, at least the ones who have signed (sorry, Cincinnati), and relocated free agents are done introducing themselves. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have certainly had their share of changes while also remaining largely the same on offense. The team returns all 11 starters on new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard's side of the ball and they've made some modest changes on defense. But with all the changes, the Bucs are still being disrespected as a whole, and come in at No. 15 in NFL Trade Rumors' offseason NFL power rankings, under the category of "Playoff Hopefuls." Advertisement "The Bucs are talented, deep and experienced on both sides of the ball, and made steps to address weaknesses at pass rusher and cornerback this offseason by bringing in OLB Haason Reddick and double-dipping on cornerbacks in the draft," NFLTR's Logan Ulrich wrote. "All told, the Buccaneers are getting some hype as a potential breakout team in 2025 that can jump into the fray with the top teams in the conference. "I'm not sure I can get on that bandwagon. Bowles has proven himself to be a competent coach, but I think he has more in common with former Panthers and Commanders HC Ron Rivera than he does someone like Steelers HC Mike Tomlin. Rivera is a first-class person, but as a coach, his record of 102-103-2 does a pretty good job of encapsulating how he stacks up against his peers, even if he did make a Super Bowl appearance with Carolina." Ulrich sort of gives Bowles a backhanded compliment here, and he's not necessarily wrong. Something he fails to mention is that Bowles' failures aren't necessarily as a head coach, but as a defensive coordinator. Especially last season, as the team dealt with injuries. Advertisement But with a revamped defensive roster and a possibly even stronger offensive unit, Bowles has no more excuses. He has to get it done in 2025 or he could face a very hot seat - and rightfully so. Related: Buccaneers' Ryan Jensen Replacement Needs a Breakout 2025 Related: Buccaneers Rookie WR Predicted to be Big Factor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Draft Pick Among Rookies With Most To Prove
Buccaneers' Draft Pick Among Rookies With Most To Prove originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht shocked many by selecting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Advertisement Tampa Bay was thought to want a top defensive player here, but the selection of Egbuka showed the draft prowess of Licht. Several media outlets labeled the pick as "questionable" at the time, but now that we know the circumstances surrounding the recovery of Chris Godwin, the pick makes perfect sense. Especially considering the defensive players Licht was able to get in Green Bay later in the draft. Egbuka was one of the rookies who CBS Sports labeled as "having the most to prove at mandatory minicamp." WR Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers "The announcement of Egbuka as Tampa Bay's selection in the first round came as a surprise. The presence of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan did not deter them from taking a long-term approach to the position. By taking Egbuka, it suggests that he was rated more highly than others available to them in that moment. Will he prove to them that was the correct decision from Day 1? Advertisement "The announcement of Egbuka as Tampa Bay's selection in the first round came as a surprise. The presence of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan did not deter them from taking a long-term approach to the position. By taking Egbuka, it suggests that he was rated more highly than others available to them in that moment. Will he prove to them that was the correct decision from Day 1?" Now that minicamp is over for the Bucs, I think it's safe to say be proved a lot. Star wideout and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans was impressed with Egbuka at mandatory minicamp. "I didn't [expect to draft a receiver] either, but you know Jason has always been great in drafts, and we wanted to pick the best players available, and from what I've seen so far, he was definitely the best player available," Evans said on Thursday. "So, looking forward to a great year for him, Emeka." Advertisement Related: Buccaneers Labeled Simply 'Playoff Hopefuls' in Latest NFL Offseason Rankings Related: Buccaneers' Ryan Jensen Replacement Needs a Breakout 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Victim of Most Dropped Passes
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Victim of Most Dropped Passes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't had the Hall of Fame career that he had hoped for a a Heisman Trophy winner and first overall draft pick in the NFL. Advertisement But over the past two seasons, things have looked up. Since arriving in Tampa Bay, he's posted two consecutive career years while playing with one of the top offenses in the league. But last season, the team dealt with an issue: dropping passes. Kevin Patra noted that Mayfield was tied for the lead in dropped passes with the Chargers' Justin Herbert. 'The two former first-round picks were each the victim of a host of dropped passes,' Patra noted. 'According to Next Gen Stats, Mayfield and Herbert each had 25 passes dropped in 2024 (tied for the most in the NFL). Only one pass behind were Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers (24 each), with Jordan Love rounding out the top five at 23 drops." Advertisement Mayfield has been a part of some really bad offenses in the past and has learned how to deal with dropped passes. 'This is one of the things I learned early on. The worst thing you can tell a guy is to catch the damn ball,' Mayfield said. 'It's not like he's trying to drop it. When it comes down to it, you look at, 'Okay, did he take his eyes off of it? Did he have his hands in the right position?' You look at the fundamentals of back to the basics of catching the football and where they went wrong on that. Everybody knows they're trying to catch the ball.' Mayfield and the Bucs offense will continue to grow in 2025, and players like tight end Cade Otton and receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will have to figure out the drops if Tampa Bay is to advance in the postseason. Advertisement Related: Buccaneers' Draft Pick Among Rookies With Most To Prove Related: Buccaneers Labeled Simply 'Playoff Hopefuls' in Latest NFL Offseason Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
