Postseason Piece Chris Godwin
August 23rd, 2025
Do Bucs fans have the wrong attitude when it comes to Chris Godwin and his recovery from a brutal dislocated ankle?
Godwin did not progress in his recovery as the team hoped. Joe’s not being reckless with that assessment. Not only did the Bucs say there was hope for Godwin to return for Week 1 of the regular season, Godwin himself said months ago he planned to be seen working in training camp.
Now, Godwin is expeccted to begin practicing with the team in Week 2 of the regular season, per an ESPN report, and might be ready to play in October.
Is Godwin simply gravy and the Bucs don’t really need him until the stakes are highest?
That’s the opinion of one of the most respected draft gurus in the land, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, the former Eagles, Ravens and Browns scout.
“To me, his value is let’s get to the meaningful games at the end of the year; let’s get to the postseason,” Jeremiah said of Godwin. “I don’t think they necessarily need him, which is a nice luxury to have.”
Jeremiah, speaking on NFL.com, was firm saying the Bucs have no reason to rush Godwin’s return and they should be fine without him.
Godwin lovers may not realize the Bucs had a winning record without the star receiver last season.
Would the Bucs have beaten the Commanders if Godwin took the January jet sweep from Baker Mayfield versus then-rookie Jalen McMillan? It’s an unfair question but a fun one to ponder.
It’s intriguing to think of Godwin as a luxury player. Joe’s not sure that’s accurate, and it’s highly doubtful the Bucs view Godwin that way. It’s hard to imagine they signed up to pay him huge money just to be “a luxury.” If so, a luxurious edge rusher would have made more sense.
If the Bucs are looking for the No. 1 or No. 2 playoff seed and Ws in the postseason, then Godwin is likely a necessity.
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Definitely should not rush him, but I would not say they don’t need him. Egbuka and the other youngsters have yet to prove anything. Maybe he said that before McMillan went down
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:23 pm
He’s a key cog when healthy. He makes them a better team. I can see where Jeremiah might call him a luxury before MacMillan got hurt, but they need him back ASAP now.
Maybe Miller in slot and play Egbuka outside? I don’t have faith in any of the other backups at this point in time.
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:25 pm
With the impact players we have out for an unknown period this team will be fighting to make a final wild card spot. There’s a very real chance we start 1-3. The talk of the Bucs competing for the 1 or 2 seed was assuming we had our full compliment of players. I’ll be thrilled if they squash that prediction but we’ll see.
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:27 pm
That Jet Sweep was a bad call by Liam Coen
The Bucs was leading the game, no need to get cute
Coen made some questionable calls in that game
We’re at home, the defense just made a goal line stand
So now, we have the lead, and the momentum
We got Rachaad White on the bench, doing nothing
He should have had at least 10 targets that gane
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:45 pm
How does ESPN, Adam Scheffler, NFL network always get the scoop over the local pen, and mic club? You guys live at One Buc, yet Joe had to report it was Scheffler who broke the story about when Wirfs, and Godwin would return. What’s up with that Joe?
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:50 pm
“Let’s get to the meaningful games at the end of the year”.
If you ask me, every game is meaningful.
The easiest way to ensure you get to the playoffs is to win your division.
Our first game of the season is against a divisional opponent.
That sounds like a meaningful game to me.
I wouldn’t call Chris a luxury. I’d call him an essential, critical part of our offense.
But, I’m in no rush to bring him back.
There’s no way he’ll be 100 percent this year.
The one silver lining to his later-in-the-season return is that he won’t have the wear and tear of 17 games on him, when we do get to the playoffs. When. Not if.
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:57 pm
I don’t understand how people are panicking because we are down two receivers. We are still loaded we talent. We have at least 2 WRs, TEs, and RBs that have good hands. SMH
Now Godwin and JMac will be fresh come playoffs.
We got this!!!
LFG!!!
August 23rd, 2025 at 5:57 pm
Definitely not “gravy.” It’s presumptuous to think this team is a lock for the playoffs and we’ll only need Godwin late in the season, especially if Todd continues to deploy his beloved 15 yard cushion defense.
It’s majorly concerning other players have come back from this injury after 5 months, yet it’s been 10 months and Godwin isn’t even jogging. We may have paid $66M for a shell of a player.
August 23rd, 2025 at 6:21 pm
To be honest, l thought it was a mistake to resign Chris Godwin. He’s getting up in age, and he had a horrific injury. I didn’t think we needed him last season for the playoffs. The NFL is a business, sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions that’s best for the team.
August 23rd, 2025 at 6:44 pm
as soon as chris can play the better. the bucs will be way better off with him playing.
August 23rd, 2025 at 6:53 pm
This article has made me think about one thing Godwin and JMac have in common, they were both badly injured in situations where they did not have to be on the field. Godwin was in a game where the Buc were soundly getting boatraced by the Ravens while JMac was hurt in a meaningless preseason game where third and fourth stringers should have been on the field, not starters which JMac was considerred to be. Common thread, Todd Bowles. Now the Bucs have a time management specialist but I doubt if one of his duties will be telling Bowles it is time to lift the starts or is it?
August 23rd, 2025 at 6:54 pm
starts = starters
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Lakeland, are you brain dead? Ungodly Godwin has been deliberately targeted and knocked out for the season by two teams who cheated: the Payton Aints and Harbaugh’s Ravens. I figured he would throw up his hands and retire. He didn’t. He signed for 3 years with Tampa Bay EVEN though other teams offered him more dough. He’s already been spotted at One Buc. He’s getting himself back in playing shape. The Bucs are loaded with guys who can catch the ball. RBs, WRs, and TEs. BTW, ME13 is totally healed from his hammy problems. Give me a friggin’ break!!
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Hey Joe, when you posting the Live game post?
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:15 pm
When are the NFL thick skulls gonna realize that Week 1 in the regular NFL season is equally important as Week 18?
Do the math—apply logic or read The NFL For Dummies Manual. The NFL schedule is a short season, and every loss can come back to haunt you, be it in September or December.
Does anyone think: Maybe we wouldn’t be playing stressful, meaningful end of season games if we were prepared for September as if it were January?
Reid plays the best NFL QB during the preseason.
Why?
He realizes the aforementioned.
Bowles does not.
But he should!!
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:19 pm
With Hospital Ball Bridgewater taking out McMillian for at least half the season, the Bucs lost the luxury of keeping Godwin out until he was 100% – but also they need to make sure they don’t rush him either.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:22 pm
The Dolphins starting Tua … meanwhile waiting for the news that Bowles is going to start Balzsack.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:31 pm
$44 mill mistake
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Godwin is too old, and beaten up, to get the contract he got
He’s coming off a major injury, but you committed 66 million.
That money is not spent wisely, you’re beating a dead horse
Egbuka will give us more on his rookie deal than Godwin
You have a cap in the NFL, you have to make tough decisions
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:35 pm
LakelandBuc Says:
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Godwin is too old, and beaten up, to get the contract he got
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Meanwhile in reality he turned down a much bigger offer from the Patriots to come back to the Bucs at a discount.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:35 pm
And may not return to his true form…..but give him $67 mil. 29 years old coming off a horrible injury. SMH. Love Godwin as a player but sadly football is a business and this contract makes no sense.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:37 pm
Watching Nick Jackson tonight, he’s been really impressive – is the Bucs defensive MVP for the preseason.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Slacker Says:
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:35 pm
And may not return to his true form…..but give him $67 mil. 29 years old coming off a horrible injury. SMH. Love Godwin as a player but sadly football is a business and this contract makes no sense.
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Meanwhile Christian Kirk three years ago was signed to a $20M/year job.
You dopes should actually learn what NFL contracts look like for WRs, you guys are acting like $25M for a start WR is expensive – it’s not.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Whenever we get Godwin back it’ll make us stronger, but it also makes Egbuka and JMac harder to account for. What’ll be awesome to see is how outside of Evans, we rotate all 3 once Chris does return. I doubt we’ll be playing him the bulk of the reps out of the gate.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:41 pm
There’s also a very real chance we start 4-0.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:42 pm
I like how Bridgewater is “sick” tonight so he won’t play – so all you see are snaps with the 1st team offense, so when they keep him they’ll say look at his stat line (and ignored him putting a guy on IR).
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Weres the gameday chat page ?
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:45 pm
Watching the Jags game, it actually looks like the Coen offense, even with backups. The Bucs offense all preseason has looked kinda rough – talking about the play calling not execution. I keep saying, hoping, it’s just bland preseason game calling – but Coen apparently is running the offense like it’s a real game and mixing it up. Not saying it’s a bad thing for the Bucs, just something I noticed.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:46 pm
LakelandBuc Says:
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Godwin is too old, and beaten up, to get the contract he got
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You are out of your friggin’ tree. What is your buzz with CG14?
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:47 pm
orlbucfan Says:
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:46 pm
LakelandBuc Says:
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Godwin is too old, and beaten up, to get the contract he got
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You are out of your friggin’ tree. What is your buzz with CG14?]
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There’s a lot of boring low IQ dopes who think they’re smart because they blindly repeat what some loser said on the radio.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Kindle is a guy who the Detroit fans cheered leaving the Lions – and signed a vet min deal with the Bucs. That’s a combo I don’t like.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:51 pm
I just read another credible source that CD14 is off the PUP list which means he will be on the active 53 roster. He’s not some ancient artifact and he’s 28. Joe, where is the GameDay Open Thread???
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:51 pm
These WFLA broadcasts are the worse – they show a replay of the TV angle where you can’t see anything on the Sanders penalty. Just low IQ awful production.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:52 pm
Oh Well it is a football game on TV.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:53 pm
They said the field was covered all day, but it doesn’t look like it the way the Bucs plays keep slipping.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:56 pm
Bowles Bends….Bowles Breaks.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:56 pm
I’m listening to Bucs Radio. They’ve got to make final cuts in the next few days. So, it’s interesting to listen to. These young guys know they have to get some good stuff on film even if the Bucs cut them.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:58 pm
My name is Hospital Ball Bridgewater, and I’ve love to go out there and play behind the 3rd string offensive line, but I got a cold coach, so I’m going to need to sit this out dawg.
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:59 pm
HC Grover Says:
August 23rd, 2025 at 7:56 pm
Bowles Bends….Bowles Breaks.
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It’s a preseason game, you know. 3 penalties on the Bucs. Well, the refs are getting into regular season form.
August 23rd, 2025 at 8:01 pm
The WFLA team says Tez is now up to 165lb – literally no one has that reported anywhere. This is the same WFLA that said Rashaad White is 6′ 5″ and Kyle Trask is 6′ 0″.
August 23rd, 2025 at 8:02 pm
The world is a better place when Chris Godwin starts for the Buccaneers.
August 23rd, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Don’t try to draw any conclusions from this game. It truly is meaningless. Decisions have already been made.
As to the Open Tread…I think same thing happened last year for 3rd ps game.