Chris Godwin's new contract has no exceptions for his ankle injury
After the Buccaneers selected Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th pick in the 2025 draft, some assumed that the Bucs were concerned about veteran receiver Chris Godwin's availability for the start of the season.
If the team has such concerns, those concerns didn't make their way into the three-year, $66 million contract Godwin signed with the Buccaneers in March.
PFT has obtained and reviewed the contract. There's no language regarding the injury. Nothing that, for example, conditions any of the $20.745 million 2025 roster bonus on passing a physical. (The second and final installment is due in six days.) Nothing that creates an exception for any aggravation of the injury or related condition.
Maybe the Bucs had no choice, given that Godwin had a better financial offer on the table from the Patriots. And while the Patriots ultimately signed receiver Stefon Diggs to a deal containing protections for the team against his torn ACL, Diggs didn't have many (or maybe any) other options. Godwin possibly was able to leverage the interest of the Patriots and Buccaneers into a deal that didn't protect the team against the injury that predated the contract.
Still, the contract becomes an important piece of tangible evidence to counter the notion that the Bucs drafted Egbuka because they're concerned about Godwin's health. If they were sufficiently concerned to use a first-round pick on his short-term replacement, why would they have committed $44 million in guarantees to Godwin?
So why Egbuka? Well, Mike Evans is entering his 12th season, and he'll be 32 in August. They'll need to have a replacement ready to go, at some point.
Besides, the Bucs don't exactly have many pressing roster needs. They were able to take the best available player when they were on the clock. Which they did.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Haason Reddick Gives Bizarre Buccaneers' OTA Update
Haason Reddick Gives Bizarre Buccaneers' OTA Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The month of May is usually a time for organizations around the league to hit the practice field for offseason workouts. It's usually a good time for disgruntled players to also try and make headway on new deals with their team. Advertisement The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a unique situation in regards to that. They don't really have any player in line for major contract extensions, yet have a very clear absence from OTAs that is turning heads. Haason Reddick, the former All-Pro with the Philadelphia Eagles, is on his third team in as many years. He signed a free agent deal with the Buccaneers for over $14 million - a stark decrease from the amount he has been looking for over the last few years. Even still, Reddick missed most of the 2024 season while holding out for a new contract with the New York Jets. It would make sense for him to show up and be dominant with his new team in Tampa Bay. That isn't what is happening, though. Reddick has remained away from the Buccaneers organization during voluntary workouts. Advertisement Bordering on the even further bizarre, Reddick posted a story on his Instagram of him working out titled "Great work day". Here's a question - why exactly isn't Reddick working out with his new team? Tampa Bay runs a different scheme than the Jets and Eagles do. Why does Reddick think he'll be able to pick that up easily? The reality is that Reddick has become a major enigma in NFL circles. The more he stays away from the team during the voluntary workout phase, the weirder this whole situation looks. Related: Baker Mayfield Shows Bucs Commitment With Major Life Move Related: Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL's New Protector of the Year Award This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
How NFC Trade Helps Buccaneers' Super Bowl Hopes
How NFC Trade Helps Buccaneers' Super Bowl Hopes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the Philadelphia Eagles chose to trade edge rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers last week, the expectation was that there wouldn't be major shake-up among NFC contenders. Advertisement The reality, though, is that this move says a lot more about the NFC Playoff picture than originally perceived. And it's great news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let's start with the defending champs. The Eagles have struggled mightily to beat the Buccaneers over the last few years. They also have a pass rush that has now seen four players from last season all find new homes (one of them did retire). The departure of Huff won't make things easier for Philly going forward. Then there is the 49ers. After a dismal six-win finish in 2024, the team said goodbye to several starters on the defensive end. While Huff was most productive under head coach turned defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, he still has major weaknesses against the run. Advertisement That kind of weakness shows the 49ers won't be very good against the run next season. ... Especially in Saleh's wide-nine approach. Both teams are expected to be contenders alongside the Buccaneers this season. The fact that the competition may have have taken major steps backward in their run defense is great news for Tampa Bay. ... Especially with a 1,000-yard runner in Bucky Irving already on the team. Tampa's rushing attack will make things very difficult for both Philly and San Fran, And it could fundamentally shift the balance of power in the conference going forward. Related: Baker Mayfield Shows Bucs Commitment With Major Life Move Related: Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL's New Protector of the Year Award This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Baker Mayfield Speaks Out On New Buccaneers' Play-Caller
Baker Mayfield Speaks Out On New Buccaneers' Play-Caller originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For the third time in as many seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a new offensive play-caller. Passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard has been promoted to the top offensive job this offseason following the departure of Liam Coen. Advertisement It's a natural progression for Grizzard. He has been around quarterback Baker Mayfield for a few years now, and has the quarterbacks respect. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports detailed exactly how pleased Mayfield was with Grizzard getting the top play-calling job during OTAs. "Griz has his own tweaks on it. He's handled it well. Things aren't just going to transfer from one season to the next," Mayfield said to Prisco. "Nothing we did last year matters. The foundation is there. We are working on explosive plays and fundamentals in the run game. "Josh is still getting used to calling plays. He was instrumental in our third-down install and passing-game stuff last year. So he has experience." Advertisement There are plenty of reasons why the Buccaneers should be excited for Grizzard's promotion outside of just Mayfield's vote of confidence. They have a collection of wide receivers that is the best in the sport, a 1,000-yard rushing in Bucky Irving, and an improved offensive line. Based on that, there's really one main goal that Grizzard needs to complete. Not getting in the way of a supremely talented group. Mayfield believes he won't. The organization as a whole believes that as well. But with heightened expectations comes an increase in pressure. And few are under more than Grizzard this season. Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Has Glowing Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka Related: Buccaneers Boast Crowded Wideout Room Ahead of Training Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
