How Long Can Mike Evans And Chris Godwin Continue To Play High Level Football?
August 14th, 2025
How much longer?
Joe has a pretty good guess that a guy who runs a popular football website is going to end up being shamed by the popular Twitter account, @OldTakesExposed.
The account, run by Fred Segal, combs Twitter for old tweets from sports people — takes that are fully outrageous now. It’s a funny follow.
The guy behind WalterFootball.com, Walter Cherepinsky, unloaded on Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht for drafting Emeka Egbuka. Cherepinsky was so enraged in the hours after the pick, he began comparing Licht to human punching bag Matt Millen, the former general manager of the Lions.
Joe thought this was a really dumb take by Cherepinsky, especially from a guy who is supposed to know football. Mike Evans is on the wrong side of 30. Chris Godwin is 29. Both guys have been known to get nicked up and miss playing time.
Besides, someone who should know, like Cherepinsky, should be aware that last year when Evans and Godwin missed the same games production from Bucs receivers plummeted.
And that is a big reason why the Bucs selected Egbuka.
So yeah, Joe is waiting for Egbuka to blow up and Segal to out Cherepinsky.
Lost in the controversy of calling out Licht for drafting Egbuka, is the real question about how much longer can Evans and Godwin play above the rim like they usually do.
Aaron Schatz formerly of Football Outsiders (RIP) and current contributor to ESPN tackled this subject.
Nugget to know: How much longer can Mike Evans continue to play at a high level? Evans, who turns 32 on Aug. 21, tied for third in ESPN’s receiver tracking metrics last season. His running mate Chris Godwin, who is now 29, ranked fifth.
Evans may have just had the best training camp of his career. He was that incredible. Oh, but those hammies. Can they hold up all summer and into the regular season. Evans is known for two things: being an elite receiver and battling hamstring issues. Normally, tender hamstrings don’t get better with age.
And then there’s Godwin, who is still not running publicly on his destroyed ankle after two surgeries. It’s now mid-August. Joe doesn’t see how a guy who cannot run (yet) due to a rebuilt ankle is expected to start an NFL game in less than a month.
So, tell Joe again why Licht was so stupid in drafting a wide receiver at No. 19?
August 14th, 2025 at 7:18 am
All that Cherepinsky cares about is how many first round picks he gets right. He missed on Licht’s pick so Cherepinsky is crying like a 4 year old. Cherepinsky has no responsibility for his actions and isn’t accountable to anyone – unlike Licht who has owners, coaches, players and fans scrutinizing his decisions.
August 14th, 2025 at 7:37 am
Who’d he pick, Campbell? (The predictions about that guy missing camp were wrong, he played in the first Iggles worthless preseason game)
August 14th, 2025 at 7:45 am
They will play forever. I will not contemplate otherwise.
August 14th, 2025 at 7:49 am
The difference with Mike Evans that might make him last much longer than most is his ridiculously elite wing span. While Evans speed (as well as other receivers) speed declines. There is no decline in his wing span.
I think that is a reason he can continue to play at a high NFL level. Smart quarterbacks will continue to utilize that skill set.
August 14th, 2025 at 7:52 am
I am cheering on Mike and Chris. Mike is still looking good and will be playing high level this season. Chris had a bad break with that injury. He is still right there on the sidelines getting ready to play again. They are the dynamic duo and are excellent mentors for the rookies too, including Buka.
August 14th, 2025 at 8:01 am
That second surgery Godwin had was unsettling. I still think he can have a productive season and set himself up for at least a few more great seasons. Mike Evans is looking better than he did when I started watching him a couple of years ago. How long can they produce at a high level? If the Bucs have the dominant team I’m predicting they’ll have, then I wouldn’t be surprised if they both play well this year and the next two seasons. And when they do leave I think they’ll be leaving us in good shape. Egbuka and McMillan 3 and 4. Oh, man! We’re going to be awful good this year. Yeah, looks like Evans and Godwin ain’t quite done yet!
August 14th, 2025 at 8:03 am
With Godwins injury being so darn severe the question should be “Can Godwin return to playing high level football” instead of continuing. Egbuka will fill the void just fine. Defensive effectiveness will be the metric that determines how far Bucs can go.
August 14th, 2025 at 8:23 am
If Godwin’s ankle was destroyed. a strong word, why did the Bucs sign him to a $66M contract. Who has better insight into the damage done to his ankle? Tha Glazers would know and wouldn’t throw away that kind of lut.
The Bucs have the luxury of bring back Godwin slowly to protect their investment. If it takes a month or more it benefits the Bucs and Godwin.
When he is ready look out NFL, with Evans, Godwin, Ebucka, McMillan, the prolific running backs and tight ends, the Bucs will be near unstoppable.
August 14th, 2025 at 8:55 am
Let’s face it the REAL season for this team doesn’t start until next January, hopefully after getting a week off for a good record during the “buildup” season.
Nobody will be happy with a 9-8..10-7 record. Nobody will be happy without at least a first round win in the playoffs. People will demand progress and hope to see a truly improved team.
CG and TW do not need to rush into the trenches. The most important weeks of availability for these two guys will be during the REAL season which starts in January.
August 14th, 2025 at 8:59 am
I’m sure that dude has contact and a solid amount of access to media events and team officials, but I never read his stuff anymore because you can tell he mails a lot of it in.
August 14th, 2025 at 9:18 am
Unloading on Licht for drafting Egbuka really was lazy insight.
August 14th, 2025 at 9:27 am
Crazy how the Bucs have had the best WR tandem for years and nobody acknowledges it. Tell me who has been better I’ll wait.
August 14th, 2025 at 9:30 am
Evans can probably play a few more years but he is going to miss games. Godwin is the real question mark. No idea when he will be back and how many games he can play before another injury? Think Godwin will go downhill before Evans.
August 14th, 2025 at 9:38 am
Jihad Campbell was my pick,
But I’m good with Egbuka as the pick
Todd Bowles says ILB, has the most depth on defense
But l don’t see how, Anthony Walker has disappeared
I’m still not sold on Dennis as a 20 game starter
I’m not sure if Deion Jones is healthy and back to form
LVD is in his mid thirties, and showing signs of slowing
I like Nick Jackson, he played 73 games in college
He was highly productive, he’s skilled, no injury history
August 14th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Keep Cherepinsky in the hall of shame like that maroon Conor Orr.
You go Joe! You go Joe!
August 14th, 2025 at 10:09 am
Mike Evans’ skill set is not based solely on speed, although he has enough to create separation.
His skill set is his basketball-like body control, his height, and his ability to separate enough to allow the QB to place the ball where DBs can’t reach it. His footwork to make catches in the confines of the end zone is not something that will diminish.
Even if he ever loses a step, he has the size to fill the same routes as a TE.
He ain’t a Tyreek Hill, who will disappear when his speed diminishes.
That said, it does not make sense to wait until the milk jug is empty to buy another gallon. The luxury of the complete roster that Licht has built is the opportunity to make a pick now that will allow a smoother transition from losing a once in a generation talent like Mike Evans.
Look at GB with QBs. Seamless transition from Favre to Rodgers to Love. Three QBs since 1992 or 1993. How many have the Bucs had in that time?
So, I think Licht’s WR drafted the last 2 years have been smart.
August 14th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Walter Football is one of my goto sites for draft info. It’s disappointing how down he is on picking a receiver.
At first glance it looks like we are loaded but the last injury to Godwin, it took him a full year to be back to his normal self. Evans, while having a great camp, how many more can he really have.
If you see a can’t miss player, you pick according to your board and Jason did that.
August 14th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
The best way to handle the national media is to win the Super Bowl. Just like in 2020 that will aggravate the $h1t out of them and once again they will look like FOOLS!
The more Super Bowls we win the more cornered they will be to acknowledge:
WHO’s YOUR DADDY!?!?!?!
Let’s GO BUCS!!!!!!
August 14th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Mike has 2 years left max, but Chris idk depends on how well he bounces back from this injury.
August 14th, 2025 at 1:20 pm
All of us were surprised at the EE pick, not that I didn’t hear his name here, with Ronde and maybe 1 other source, I think a talking head on one of the shows towards the start of the draft had us taking EE, maybe another receiver, but all I read here the day after the draft was shock, 98% at the least. As the draft played out and things started to come into focus then it started to become clear for a whole bunch of reasons that it was indeed the best pick, and with what we drafted afterwards filled a lot of needs as well. With CG taking a while to recover we have a strong group of wideouts to begin with. Mike’s whole package as a receiver is one for the books, not just speed, but he covers a lot of ground with those long strides, but his body position, catch radius and physicality. I believe this team is in position to draft strong for position of need in the coming years.
August 14th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Evans has looked faster and more explosive these past two seasons than any other span in his career – and he’s shown zero indications he’s slowing down yet. I think it’s time to start comparing him to Jerry Rice for more than just the 1000 yard streak, remember Rice was 40 when the Bucs played him in the SB and he got the long TD – and Rice stuck around until he was 42. Now I don’t think Evans will play that long, but I don’t see why anyone would assume he’s just going to fall off a cliff in the next year or two. I think it’s safe to say Mike is going to be an ALL-PRO caliber WR for another 2 seasons, at least. Then, I think you’re safe to assume he’ll be a PRO-BOWL caliber WR for another year on top of that. From there, he might merely be a good starting WR for another year or two. As they chanted about Hillary … lock him up, to a long term deal. Should have down it before last season instead of that 2-year deal, should have made it 5-years, he’s already the best bargain at WR in the NFL, and unless Mike wants a year-to-year deal, get him signed up for another 3-year deal.
As for Godwin, that’s much much harder to figure out. If he fully recovers from this latest major injury – then he’s probably got another 3 years of being a very good WR. But if he’s lost anything at all from this last injury, it means the decline has already started. At 29, I think he’s got an extremely good shot at returning to 100% – I’m not super human like Godwin and Evans, but even so, at 29 all my youth healing super powers were still functioning, so I can’t imagine that Godwin is any different.
August 14th, 2025 at 3:06 pm
Then why give Godwin all that money – you can’t have it both ways
I get the pick but Licht also gave Godwin a bunch of GUARANTEED money.
Licht isn’t all that…look at his overall record. We better win a lot this year or I’m really gonna start hammering him on here.
August 14th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
We don’t even know if Chris Godwin can still play at a high level. He could go Paris Warren on us.
August 14th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Warren, ME might only have 2 years left as an elite receiver, but he could probably play another year or two after. My HoF odds for Mike is 10% after end of last season, 50% with another 1000 yard 10Td this season, and 100% with 1000 yard and 10 TD next season. Mike needs these last few years to separate from the likes of Hopkins, Adam’s, Hill, surpass Julio and AB, and stay ahead of Chase, Jefferson, and Lamb.
August 14th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Bucs4Ever Says:
“Licht isn’t all that…”
Yes. He is. Overall record means squat. The past half decade at any point is the measuring stick.
Bill Belecheck had a horrible record with his first job as head coach. He racked up wins for 20 years with his second. But…his last 5 years were bad.
But those losing seasons do not erase the good ones.
By the same token, Jason Licht’s job is to field good players. It is the coaches job to win with them. Can you honestly say Jason Licht has not provided enough talent to win with in the past 5 years?
No, you cannot. Because He. Is. All. That.
August 14th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
BucVoyager Says:
August 14th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
“At first glance it looks like we are loaded but the last injury to Godwin, it took him a full year to be back to his normal self. Evans, while having a great camp, how many more can he really have.”
Very well said, buddy.
August 14th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
People here still doubting Licht? He brought you:
1. Multiple HoFers
2. The GOAT
3. Super Bowl
4. Multiple Division Titles
5. Stacked roster
I could go on. What more does he have to do?
August 14th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Also, people forget…back when Chris Godwin’s wife voiced things publicly, immediately after, Chris Godwin’s play regressed. If you actually paid attention to him in that 4-5 game span, he had become lazy when he wasn’t going to get the ball.
Just go back to watch the games. If he wasn’t going to get the ball, his stance was lazy, effortless. He tried to sell nothing.
But if he was going to get the ball, he was primed and ready.
You think opposing defenses could not see this? I sure did at the time. And I bet Jason Licht did too, even if he can never voice it.
Eventually, Godwin came out of the funk he was in, but the mere fact that he entered that funk is a red flag.
Now he’s injured and we don’t know if he will ever be good again.
Mike Evans has always given 110%. No one can ever question his work ethic…but he’s up there in years and his body is more prone to injury.
So I understand why Licht drafted a WR in the first. We have some okay backups, but we needed a superstar WR to inherit the mantle from Mike…because Chris sure won’t.
August 14th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
I’ve said it before I like CG, but no way do I pay him that money after two major injuries. Think about it, Devonte got a little more than CG. Also, that money could have gone to a DE, i.e. Hendrickson. Im pretty sure he would have taken CG money to come back to Florida.
August 14th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Godwin Jr.’s career highlights how rare and special Mike Evans is and what he has done in his career. 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons is insane. 11 straight seasons of staying healthy enough to have good to great seasons. 11 straight seasons of consistency, while on the other hand you have Godwin Jr. who has the skill set to be just as productive and consistent but has some back luck and in my opinion was targeted by the slimy saints defense. Mike Evans is great and may be up there with the goat Jerry rice someday depending on the next three years.
August 14th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Licht has more round 1-5 picks currently playing in the NFL than any other GM.
Yes- he is all that.
And Mike can play as long as he wants. His wing span isn’t going anywhere and if anything he looks like he’s getting QUICKER, not slower lately. It really comes down to desire. There’s a few teams that can compete at receiver 1+2 but not 1-4 here. We are freaking LOADED. Baker has got to be salivating over all these weapons.
August 14th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
feel like fitzgerald was good well into 30s im hoping mike will mirror that