Another Non-Encouraging Chris Godwin Update
May 27th, 2025
Joe had hoped fans could glean something uplifting on Chris Godwin out of today’s Todd Bowles news conference.
That didn’t happen.
Godwin was among several veterans not attending Tuesday’s voluntary spring practice.
Joe asked Bowles for positive news on the star receivers’ recovery from a dislocated ankle seven months ago.
JoeBucsFan.com: Coach, do you have any positive news on Chris Godwin? Just his general recovery at all?
Todd Bowles: Not really. He’s working hard. You know, he’s coming around. We’ll see more when we get to training camp. We’re hopeful of Week 1. You know, nothing has really changed, but if anybody can come back and play, it’s going to be Chris.
Joe is getting more and more leery of Godwin returning to the field in Week 1 and Joe’s wondering how long it will take Godwin to return to top form. However, the Bucs were 6-4 without Godwin last season and they’re not short or receiver talent.
Godwin spoke in mid-March on SiriusXM NFL Radio and said he expects to be “dripping” with “sweat marks” during training camp.
May 27th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
To be honest I’m not as worried for the Bucs as I am for CG14.
It’s the team’s deepest position and so it won’t be the end of the world if he doesn’t make it back but I feel for Chris who is working his arse off to get back.
As long a CG gets healthy in time for the stretch run all should be good.
May 27th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
I’ll preface this by saying that I am aware of Bucs upper managements protocol for not disclosing too much, if anything regarding these matters. They tend to be more tight lipped than most organizations. On the contrary, lets ASSUME that they geniunely aren’t keen to his availability, with target date being nothing more than a moving target… then color me incredulous at best at handing out a high dollar deal with no firm assurances. I am not in to peoples feelings when it comes to business. The NFL pay scale is based on what you will do for me right now and the immediate future. Godwin has already been compensated handsomely for his production. I dont believe in paying a guy just because you think he should retire a Buccaneer. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions in the best interest of the team. If I am handing out that deal i want to be 100% that I am in fact getting Chris Godwin. Couldve gotten another edge with that contract. We have plenty of number 2’s and slot guys. Mike Evans having one year left and having to replace him potentially is a bigger hole
May 27th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
I would be surprised if Bowles had offered anything factual. He gave a non-answer.
May 27th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Meh, it’s a standard Bowles response. Bowles lacks character when talking to media. Still 3 months until preseason…I’ll worry then. We’re too deep at WR to worry at this point
May 27th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
“If anybody can” is the concerning phrase… which seems to indicate it’s a real uphill climb on this one. Recovery is not guaranteed.
May 27th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
This is the same guy they said might be back for a deep playoff run 4 months ago. Now he might not be back 8 months later?
Someone is flat out lying.
May 27th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Deep? WR???
Last year we saw what was behind 13 and 14. About a 0.
This year there’s a rookie, a second year player, and a HoFer. Behind them is a midget, a speedster with ok hands but problems running routes, and 4 JAGs. Show me depth there. Please.
May 27th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
Why would they say anything at this point?
Under promise, over deliver.
May 27th, 2025 at 2:20 pm
With HIPAA laws I am guessing that Todd doesn’t want to say too much. Godwin speaking in March about expecting to have drip marks at practice is a good sign. Optimistically, we could see Chris soon enough on the field.
May 27th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
I have never even considered that Godwin would be 100% in week 1, and people complaining about that because the Bucs resigned him are literally idiots. He signed a way undermarket 3-year deal, and if he’s not ready until the second half of the season, well that gives the Bucs a huge asset in their playoff run. In the meantime, as a reminder, the Bucs spent their 1st round pick on perhaps the safest player in the draft, who should be a solid #2 WR from day 1, and worst case, he’s a great #3 WR if McMillian keeps the #2 role.
May 27th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
wait until he’s 100 pct we’ll be fine the first month
May 27th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
HeyJude
Always enjoy your posts and this time you were spot on!
“With HIPAA laws I am guessing that Todd doesn’t want to say too much.”
My wife is a retired Dentist, I currently work as a volunteer at St Anthony’s. I have some understanding of HIPAA and never really thought about it until you just pointed it out.
There is also a simple football fact. Why let the opposing teams have any info about your players and their health. Why WOULDN’T Todd play it close to the vest?
We have some pretty poor poker players here…
“Someone is flat out lying.” Why lie? To fool the fans? Other teams? What is the motivation?
“Bowles lacks character when talking to media.”
What does “character have to do with it. The media knows the game. The rest of the league’s coaches also know the game. Not sure character is involved just a bit of poker perhaps.
May 27th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
That’s why he came back to the Bucs. He knows that the Buccaneers will have his back and not rush him to get back without being healed. If he would have gone somewhere else with all that money he would have been forced or felt obligated due to his character to play
May 27th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
As u get older injury pre existing is hard to fix. It never gets back to what it was. No matter how much money you make there are simply limitations.
May 27th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
No reason or necessity to rush Godwin back now…
Start him out on IR and let come back strong after the 1st half of the season…
May 27th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
I remember when we thought Jensen would return all year with progress rumors, but rodgod is different, expect to see him getting first downs earlier rather then later
May 27th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
Godwin will be back. Week 1. And he will look better than even last year.
May 27th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
I have a feeling that Godwin may miss the first few weeks of the season as he works himself into game shape. The Bucs will be cautious and make sure he comes back on the field when he’s ready to contribute the way we know he can.
May 27th, 2025 at 3:59 pm
This reeks of Licht “over paying” his guys again to the detriment of the team
Love Godwin but it was not smart paying him big $$ coming off an injury
May 27th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Omg you think they did not know all this when they selected EE?
May 27th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Smarter than Joe Says:
May 27th, 2025 at 3:59 pm
This reeks of Licht “over paying” his guys again to the detriment of the team
Love Godwin but it was not smart paying him big $$ coming off an injury
———
Hey moron, the Pats literally offered him a much much larger contract that he turned downs. Idiot.
May 27th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
It makes me laugh when posters say, without a doubt, that CG is going to start in week one. What method does he have to insure this. Tarot cards? Their posts are as worthless as this one.
May 27th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Just standing outside during that time will make you have sweat marks! Doesn’t mean you’re practicing
May 27th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
They’re gonna rest Godwin until the Super Bowl cause we making it baby. We’re gonna play either the Chiefs Bills or Ravens & beat them & then our D is gonna splatter Mahomes Allen or Lamar.😬👍
May 27th, 2025 at 5:13 pm
Ebuka going to have to be ready early
May 27th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Bowles very rarely says anything definitive about injuries, so I’m not reading anything into his statement. He respects Godwin and we know Godwin’s working hard to get on the field. Chris will want to play ASAP but I’d rather be cautious with him and not push him onto the field. I’m guessing EE is taking most of his snaps at slot – correct Joe?
May 27th, 2025 at 5:39 pm
HIPAA laws? BUWAHAHAHAHAHA. That has zero to do with it. None. Nada
“HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, primarily protects the privacy of patient health information, but it generally doesn’t apply to the NFL or its teams.”
This is worst case scenario right now. Wasted money on an oft-injured player.
Terrible signing by the best GM
May 27th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
@Bucs4Ever
Reddick skipping isn’t doing him any favors either. Hopefully that signing works out. I was iffy on that one from the beginning.
May 27th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
Should we be worried in any way about godwin coming back to full health? He did get 44 million guranteeed I believe so that is a good sign. Also not sure of this reddick guy nowadays. He did nothing in 10 games last year for jets. I am not banking on him as a person. I am intrigued by david walker..he looks heavy in a good way..junk in the trunk,,similar to diaby
May 27th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
“It makes me laugh when posters say, without a doubt, that CG is going to start in week one. What method does he have to insure this. Tarot cards?”
————————
No. History. And character. That’s how I know.
May 27th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
It would be a problem if we didn’t have Egbuka. This is now a problem for other teams because we’ll still when games, and when Chris comes back we’ll start blowing teams out… and we still might do that without him.
May 27th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
FYI fans you don’t offer a guy that type of MONEY/CONTRACT and NOT expect him back by week 1. Not rushing him back means to me, just put him in bubble wrap all during oTA’s mini camp and preseason. Roll out the red carpet week 1 and let’s get ready to blow ATL out the nest !!!!
May 27th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
I can’t remember who pointed this out, but the Patriots were offering Godwin $20 million more that we did. Apparently, we aren’t the only ones expecting a full recovery.
And I do believe HIPPA plays at least some away here. Teams have to report injuries, but they generally just list it as “knee” or “Groin”. They’ll also mention something like an ACL or Achilles or the generic part of any serious injury, but sans details.
As for Reddick, I don’t care that a 9th year vet misses a non obligatory camp. Check back with me in mid June
May 27th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
Licht and Bowles have been totally consistent since we resigned Chris. Hoping and expecting Chris Game One. Everyone wants to hear positive news but we are getting the truth. Bet he is starting game one, it’ll take him a couple of games to get his confidence back after a pretty gruesome injury but after his knee injury it took longer for him to get back to normal because that knee injury was worse than the ankle. I’ll bet he’s running and cutting and getting his confidence back in that ankle right now.
May 27th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
Let Chris get healthy, the Bucs have a lot of talent at that position. If Grizzard is somewhat competent the Bucs offense should be able to move the football without Chris.
May 27th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
Sounds like he was talking about Jensen all over again
May 27th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
HIPPA laws apply to everyone regardless of employer. Also why let others privy to this info, we’ll see him when he’s ready. Also good point about Pat’s wanting to sign him for 4 years instead of 3. If we wait till he’s fully healthy in body AND his head then that’s the best course
May 27th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
Without written consent from a patient no employer or Doctors office has the right to disclose anyone’s medical information, that’s why you sign the forms for possible sharing of info between Dr’s offices
May 27th, 2025 at 10:05 pm
Having our depth at WR allows CG not to rush this comeback. Even if he’s out til week 3 or 4. That’s just fine. We need him healthy when it matters most. Not at the start of the season.
May 27th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Godwin will miss the first 4 weeks of the regular season…
That’s why they drafted Egbuka with pick #19.
May 28th, 2025 at 1:40 am
Ahh more speculation.
Would rather speculate on Watson making it to camp sub 400lbs.
Go Bucs!
May 28th, 2025 at 4:54 am
Lou. Says:
“Deep? WR???
Last year we saw what was behind 13 and 14. About a 0
… Show me depth there. Please.”
Your memory is faulty. Last year we had a top offense…even during injuries. That wouldn’t be the case if you were accurate.
May 28th, 2025 at 8:57 am
Sounds like he was talking about Jensen all over again
Jensen chose not to have surgery
May 28th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
As a head coach you only disclose what the rules require you to disclose RE: injuries. Not sure why everyone is knocking Bowles. Bill Bellecheat would be proud of this answer.
May 28th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
Not really concerned. Its OTAs and then mini camp. Even if he misses some of training camp, I am not overly concerned. We knew this was going to be a process, and he may not be ready to go week 1. I think this played in part to drafting Egbuka. There is also no guarantee that he is as explosive as he was right off the bat. Itll take time, like the previous injury, it took a full season to get back to form.