After A Visit To Bucs Headquarters, Jon Gruden Comments On Chris Godwin Recovery
May 23rd, 2025
The Bucs say the drafting of Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 had nothing to do with injured but recovering Chris Godwin and Mike Evans turning 32 soon without a 2026 contract in his pocket.
The Bucs also said the Egbuka pick was not a referendum on second-year receiver Jalen McMillan, who had a star-caliber finish to his rookie year.
Joe wouldn’t bet a nickel on that being the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
And neither would Rondé Barber.
There’s still plenty of silence surrounding Godwin’s recovery from a dislocated ankle and surgery to repair it. That injury occurred seven months ago.
So yeah, Joe is sensitive to any comments about Godwin’s health.
Enter Chucky, aka Jon Gruden. The Bucs’ Super Bowl-winning head coach (2002 season) recently has been embraced by Buccaneers executives like a lost puppy showing up at his family’s front door. Gruden’s name already has been restored inside the stadium Ring of Honor, and Gruden joined the Bucs in producing their official 2025 draft-reveal video last month, in which he was the star.
Then the Bucs made Chucky a feature during their National Coaching Academy clinic, bringing Gruden back representing the team on the fields of One Buc Palace.
Interestingly, Gruden chimed in on Godwin’s health during a chat on WDAE radio this week. He praised the pick of Egbuka and talked multiple times about how he’s an extremely professional route runner.
“And I think everybody realizes Godwin is going to take a little time to come back,” Gruden said. “But good God, when he does come back, this is some firepower, man.”
Hmmm, so after a bunch of time around the Bucs, Gruden comfortably states Godwin will need a little time to come back. What does that mean?
Chucky went on to drop more love on Egbuka and the Bucs roster.
“I think that’s a staple in how Jason Licht drafts,” Gruden said. “He drafts captains. He drafts production. He drafts guys that, you know, that really pass the interview test as well as the eyeball test. And it’s a credit to him. He’s done a great job as the GM of the Bucs.”
May 23rd, 2025 at 5:58 am
Lot of $$$ committed to Chris. Hope it’s just recovery time and not whether he can come back.
May 23rd, 2025 at 7:17 am
Godwin goes down with a tragic injury.
With an injury where his foot is pointing backwards, his first comment from his mouth is, “Time to get back to work.”
Chris Godwin … legend.
He’ll be fine.
May 23rd, 2025 at 7:52 am
I think the fact he signed a 3 year deal says he’ll be back. Probably not for the first month of the season, the Egbuka pick allows us to take our time with Godwin.
May 23rd, 2025 at 8:27 am
Godwin will most-likely start the season on IR and come back around Week 7 or whatever the minimum amount of games for IR is. I think it’s 6, right
May 23rd, 2025 at 8:27 am
Money rules everything in life and the NFL is no different. CHRIS GODWIN
got a $60 plus million dollar contract for one reason PERFORMANCE and
He will recover from his gruesome injury because Money is the number one equalizer.
So sit back and enjoy what the Bucs are about to inflict on opponents.
May 23rd, 2025 at 8:28 am
A very good rotate of receivers is very hard to game plan for… GO BUCS!!!
May 23rd, 2025 at 8:44 am
Chris will be back. EE on the field allows Chris to be fully 100% and not forced on the field too soon. Chris is a competitor and we know he is pushing himself hard in rehab and might try to get on the field too soon.
May 23rd, 2025 at 9:12 am
Trust in the organization. Trust in Jason. He’s got us. All of this talent. He knows what he is doing. He picked egbuka because he was the best talent and personality to fit in our team. No one is replacing what Mike and Chris have done for the bucs organization this year and maybe not next, but we do need to look for the future. We need the next Mike and Chris.
May 23rd, 2025 at 9:14 am
If any body can do it, Godwin can unfornately a disloation like he had put more than one player in early retirement.
May 23rd, 2025 at 9:32 am
I hope they give Kam Johnson a chance. So many great receivers!
May 23rd, 2025 at 10:17 am
If I were the Bucs and Chris, I’d be doing the exact same thing. Under promising so I could over deliver.
May 23rd, 2025 at 10:32 am
I still hate the Ravens for hurting Godwin with that dirty hip tackle. That Ravens jerk should be forced out fur as long as it takes Godwin to recover. I’ll never root for the Ravens ever again.
May 23rd, 2025 at 10:46 am
The Bucs would not have committed 60 mil if they weren’t confident of a full recovery.
May 23rd, 2025 at 10:49 am
I’ll take Licht over Gruden and that means Godwin is on the field for Game One. Hope he catches the first pass of the season.
May 23rd, 2025 at 11:45 am
the Ravens ate ugly bullies- karma will get them
May 23rd, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Y’all are saying he is good cause he got paid by the Bucs? lol .Don’t forget he turned down a lot more money to stay here also
May 23rd, 2025 at 1:46 pm
Yall have to understand that Chris had a lower body injury. He wasn’t able to run or even walk for some time. He also wasn’t able lower body workouts so it will take some TIME but he will be back no need to rush him. Have yall seen the routes Egbuka has ran they are very very similar to Chris’s routes. Chris will be fine yall just have to be patient.