Latest news with #ChrisGodwin
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Super Bowl Champion Has Concerns For Bucs' Chris Godwin
Former Super Bowl Champion Has Concerns For Bucs' Chris Godwin originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know they have one of the most dominant offenses in the game today. With Baker Mayfield at quarterback, and a collection of top wideouts, the Bucs believe they have all they need to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Advertisement There's just one problem. One of those top wideouts isn't healthy. And there's a chance he may not be going into the 2025 season. Chris Godwin, the Pro Bowl receiver who has formed a dynamic duo with Mike Evans, is still recovering from his ankle injury that he suffered midway through the 2024 season. The fact that the team drafted Ohio State star Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 draft, according to former Buccaneer champion and ESPN analyst Booger McFarland, was a sign that Godwin may need even more time than anticipated. "Based on what we saw from Chris Godwin at the end of last season, I think the Bucs are telling us they don't think he's going to be ready and it's going to be a while," McFarland said. "So I fully expect Chris Godwin not to be ready to start the season. Advertisement "And to be honest, I'm not really sure anyone in that building knows what to expect based on the injury history of what he's had the last couple years." A healthy Godwin in Tampa Bay's offense can help them win a Super Bowl. But the Bucs wouldn't have drafted Egbuka if they were confident they could get Godwin back to 100%. Anyway you slice it, it doesn't look good for Tampa's star wideout. Related: Insider Reveals Buccaneers Top Remaining Offseason Priority Related: Buccaneers Rival Falcons Unintentionally Troll Themselves This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF has high expectations for one Bucs player coming off injury in 2025
PFF has high expectations for one Bucs player coming off injury in 2025 Chris Godwin is returning to the Bucs after hitting free agency briefly this offseason. He returns on a deal that keeps him in Tampa Bay for the long haul, and despite coming off a season-ending injury, expectations seem to be high based on how his 2024 was going. The veteran wide receiver was on pace for a career year before suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 8 against the Ravens. He has worked hard to get back into shape and to be ready for the 2025 season, and now he and the rest of the Bucs are ready to make an impact. PFF has started breaking down each NFL team heading into training camp. For the Bucs, they discussed who their X-factor will be for the upcoming season, and they rolled with the former Nittany Lion receiver turned Buccaneer legend in the making. When discussing Godwin, they wrote, "Godwin was potentially on his way to his best NFL season before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 7 against Baltimore. His 85.7 PFF receiving grade was the second best of his career. Still just 29 years old with eight excellent seasons under his belt, Godwin has a chance to add even more firepower to an offense that surged down the stretch toward another NFC South title." Godwin thrived playing in the slot last season and was a favorite target for quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2024. After two seasons together, those two have finally clicked, and despite the arrival of first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, that connection should remain. Godwin should start off hot like he did in 2024 so this is likely to be a good call by the folks at Pro Football Focus.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's in Store for Jalen McMillan in 2025?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht shocked many when they selected Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Emeka Egbuka with their first-round pick in this year's draft. It was surprising to many since the team boasted one of the best offenses and most stable receiver corps in the league a season ago. Advertisement With star wideout Mike Evans still in the fold and Chris Godwin returning in free agency in 2025, the team seemed set at receiver, especially considering rookie and last year's third-round pick, Jalen McMillan, had a breakout second half of the season after Godwin went down with an injury. Now, with the addition of Ebuka to the offense and the receivers room, some are questioning whether it's too crowded with McMillan. ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak isn't sure how McMillan will fit in the Bucs' new offense with Egbuka in the mix. "I was very bullish on Year 2 for McMillan, who rose nicely to the challenge after Chris Godwin was lost for the season to an ankle injury," Solak wrote. Then the Buccaneers drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 draft, sliding McMillan squarely into a battle for WR3 responsibilities this season. McMillan is a savvy route runner with better speed than he's given credit for, and he has some spectacular catch ability in him. Advertisement "I still believe in the player, even if the opportunity for high volume is vanishing." There's a chance that Godwin isn't ready to return from his gruesome dislocated ankle suffered in Week 10 last year when the 2025 season starts. If that's the case, having McMillan around is a necessity. With the addition of Egbuka, the team could still have three bona fide starting receivers so Godwin can take his time. When Godwin returns? We'll have to see. Related: Floria Star And Bucs Ex Arrested On Disturbing Child Abuse Charges Related: Can Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka Be Baker Mayfield's No. 1 Weapon?
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan Offers 3-Word Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka
Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan Offers 3-Word Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Jalen McMillan will have to earn his reps in 2025, as the offense boasts an embarrassment of riches at the receiver position. Advertisement Already finding it hard to get ample targets with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Cade Otton, McMillan now sees first-round pick Emeka Egbuka come to the NFC South champs. That is a lot of mouths to feed, but McMillan had quite the rookie season for himself as the franchise appears to be gearing up for a changing of the guard in a couple of seasons. Evans and Godwin are getting long in the tooth, leaving McMillan and Egbuka to take over. But what are Jalen's thoughts on his newest teammate? "He's a pro," McMillan said. "Really serious about practice and just already knows damn near half the playbook. So, I'm really excited for his growth and his future here." Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka catches a pass during the pro day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletic CenteAdam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Buccaneers' offense, led by Baker Mayfield, has the potential to be one of the top units in football, and their loaded receiver room is a significant reason why. Advertisement McMillan finished with eight touchdowns and 461 yards in his rookie season, while Evans again surpassed 1,000 yards with Godwin injured. Now we add Egbuka, a slot merchant, to complement the weapons already at Mayfield's disposal, and on paper, it is hard to envision the Buccaneers not having a successful 2025 season. The big watch will be how Baker keeps all his weapons happy, and with McMillan and Egbuka seemingly already touted as the next in line to the receiver throne, the duo could have a big say in how far the team goes in 2025. Related: Buccaneers' $84M Defender Predicted for Rebound Season Related: Insider Reveals Buccaneers Top Remaining Offseason Priority This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Biggest Question Mark Next Season Revealed
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Biggest Question Mark Next Season Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boasted one of the best offenses last season and return all 11 starters in 2025. Advertisement The team also has a new and unproven offensive coordinator in Josh Grizzard, who replaces Liam Coen, who took the head coaching job in Jacksonville earlier this offseason. While the defense struggled mightily last season, general manager Jason Licht made some wholesale changes in free agency and the draft, and head coach and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles says he's making adjustments to his scheme to improve the unit for the upcoming season. But it's the offense and more specifically, the wideout room, that's the biggest question mark for 2025 as Pro Football Focus noted. "After making the wild-card round, the Buccaneers made sure to retain important free agents and make compelling upgrades at multiple positions. And the team's first-round pick creates a fascinating wide receiver room. Tampa Bay brought back star Chris Godwin (85.7 PFF receiving grade) on a three-year, $66 million deal, but then also drafted Emeka Egbuka (82.4 PFF receiving grade) at 19th overall. On top of that, Mike Evans (90.2 PFF receiving grade) remains one of the league's best receivers, and former third-round pick Jalen McMillan came onto the scene with a 75.8 PFF receiving grade in the final five games of the year. Advertisement "Perhaps Godwin may not be ready for the start of 2025 following ankle surgery, but if he's ready to go, then Tampa Bay won't have an easy call for whom to put next to him and Evans." It's a good problem to have. The team has to figure out who its third-best wideout is among a room with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka, among others. If the defense improves as we all think it will and the offense can be what it was last season, then the Bucs could be looking at a sixth straight postseason appearance and fifth consecutive NFC South title. Related: Buccaneers' $84M Defender Predicted for Rebound Season Related: Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan Offers 3-Word Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
