The legal tampering period of free agency has kicked off with a bang. Players are flying off the market. Already over the last several days several big-name stars have vanished from the table, either re-signing with the team that rostered them in 2024, being traded, or signing extensions that put trade talks to rest.
A look at the names secured by new (or old) teams so far:
Myles Garrett, signed extension with Cleveland
Maxx Crosby, signed extension with Las Vegas
DK Metcalf, traded to Pittsburgh
Tee Higgins, re-signed by Cincinnati
Zach Baun, re-signed by Philadelphia
Davante Adams, signed by Rams
Khalil Mack, re-signed by Chargers
In addition to Higgins, Metcalf and Adams, another coveted receiver has reportedly been spoken for.
Key Signing for NFC Contender Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Per Bleacher Report and The Athletic the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back receiver Chris Godwin, the top receiver available after the signings of Higgins & Co.. The contract is for 3 years, $66M, with $44M guaranteed.
Godwin has spent his entire 8-year career in Tampa, and that won’t change in 2025. In an injury-riddled 2024 campaign, he caught 50 passes for 576 yards and 5 TDs, breaking his three-year streak of 1000 yard seasons. Injury sidelined Godwin after October 21 in 2024.
At 29 years old, though, he probably has a good three or four productive seasons left, provided he can stay healthy. For Tampa, re-signing Godwin ensures that quarterback Baker Mayfield will hold onto a key target and weapon on the offense. When both are on the field, Godwin and Mike Evans are still one of the league’s better receiver duos.
Godwin Gone, Green Bay Packers’ Options Are Running Thin
The Packers certainly could have used Godwin’s services. In a young receiver room that will likely be missing Christian Watson to start the season, Jayden Reed led Green Bay with 55 catches and 857 yards last season. Watson’s absence elevates Romeo Doubs to Jordan Love’s WR2. In 2024, Doubs brought in 46 balls for 601 yards.
A veteran like Godwin would not only supply needed production, it would give Love a reliable target. Still capable of hauling in deep shots, Godwin is a safety net for Mayfield in Tampa, an outlet for short slants and dump offs facing pressure from opposing pass rushes.
Drops, too, have been a problem for Packers receivers. Per PFF, Godwin did not drop a pass in 62 targets last season.
With Godwin gone, the Packers will have to turn their attentions elsewhere if they are serious about adding a receiver this offseason. Amari Cooper, Stephon Diggs and Tyler Lockett, cut last week by Seattle, all remain available. None of these options are as appealing as Godwin was, but pickings are getting slim. At this point, it may be wiser for GM Brian Gutekunst to invest Packers’ money in other positions, netting bigger bang for their buck.
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