What Really Was Said About Chris Godwin This Week
August 29th, 2025
Chris Godwin
Joe has seen misdirection/misinformation over the past 24 hours on social media and wants to step in and clarify.
Speaking on WDAE radio yesterday, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht said “maybe, you know, October” when asked about a timetable for receiver Chris Godwin’s return. The GM noted “it’s a little bit week-to-week” with Godwin and, encouraging to Joe, said “watching [Godwin and injured left tackle Tristan Wirfs] work out on the field with the trainers” has been great to see.
After saying “maybe, you know, October” for a Godwin return, Licht put that in relation to Wirfs’ comeback from knee surgery.
“And for Tristan, maybe a little sooner but we’ll see,” Licht said. “You know, it’s a week-to-week thing. We’ll have to see how [Wirfs and Godwin] keep progressing, but they’re doing phenomenal.”
After all those careful maybes from Licht in the interview, veteran Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud, of the behind-a-pay-wall, sold-their-headquarters, can’t-fund-their-pension, debt-strangled, twice-weekly community newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, claimed on X/Twitter that Licht made a definitive statement.
“Chris Godwin will miss the first month of the season and possibly more, according to Bucs GM Jason Licht. However, there’s a chance Tristan Wirfs returns sooner. Licht made his comments on @953WDAE.”
Two days earlier on WDAE, Todd Bowles was asked about Godwin’s return timetable and to state the best case scenario for an early return. “I would say anywhere from Week 2 to Week 5; I don’t know,” he said.
Joe’s waiting to see Godwin on a practice field.
Fans can take all the current realities and reach their own conclusions.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:41 am
Godwin will not play this season, Mark my words
August 29th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Love Godwin, More worried about Wirf’s absence. I believe our run game and pass game are going to suffer greatly without Wirfs in the lineup. The first 7 weeks of the season are going to be rough. Hopefully we can at least come out above 500. I don’t want Wirfs to rush back and then play a half a season then find out he came back too soon and has to miss the playoffs. So, take your time Tristin on coming back. Same for Chris Godwin, don’t rush back. Be healthy. Baker get ready to run for your life from pass rushers.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:48 am
From my understanding Tristan has a Cartilage injury a Bone on Bone issue and he underwent an experimental procedure at a Cleveland facility. It could be that he is as good as he gets and it will never completely heal. Bucs fans this could be his last contract and his best is behind him. The Bucs Management has kept this Hush Hush and this is not a good sign.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Hind sight being 20/20, we should have let him walk. This is not how you win a super bowl.
I mean, what numb nut hands out a contract like that to an injured player? Money would have been best used elsewhere. Sorry, I love Godwin but can we expect him to ever be the same?
August 29th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Before the doom and gloom crowd comments remember that this type of injury has a 12 month recovery. If Godwin returns in October it lines up perfectly with what the projections were.
Besides, Egbuka will be a more than capable stand-in until he’s back.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Damn, I moved from tampa 25 years ago and the Times is twice a week… wow!
Maybe this offense doesn’t get rolling till December with all these injuries. Hasson Reddick and crew better be bringing the heat right out of the gate.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Henry Says:
I mean, what numb nut hands out a contract like that to an injured player?
***********************
Henry, you don’t seem to know much about the Bucs. Godwin’s last contract extension was signed while he was recovering from a shredded knee that took 12 months to heal. That turned out pretty well. Catch up.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:56 am
Ha! Good! Financial blunder after financial blunder has put them in this situation. No one else to blame (they’ve certainly tried) but themselves.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:58 am
“maybe, you know, October” The pessimist in me reads that like we hope he’s able to get on the field by October, but it could be later. So, I tend to read it like Stroud, even though that’s not literally what JL said.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:59 am
We should be fine without Godwin and JMac as long as no other receivers get creamed before October. Wirfs? He’s an awfully important cog on that line. Thankfully the wind seems to be blowing our way…but the wind can be fickle.
August 29th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Bottom line, we need Godwin, Wirfs and McMillan back ASAP. Emeka, pressure’s on dude!
August 29th, 2025 at 10:07 am
Henry, his foot was on backwards, he couldn’t walk.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:11 am
I understand the concerns but we haven’t even played a game this season yet! Let’s relax on the doom and gloom scenarios with Wirfs and Godwin. It’s funny when it comes to players injuries or a player aging it’s also the worse case scenario with the negative fans. I understand it could be the worse case scenario but it could be the best case scenario as well too. I remember when Mike Evans turned 29 people were saying his best years are behind him and he wouldn’t impact games as much anymore lol.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:12 am
Chukwuma is coming on, so maybe give him some reps and see if he can handle it?
And who got the info on Wirfs getting an “experimental” treatment? Or is this just troll talk? Plenty of those on here…
August 29th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Wasn’t the Times housed in the building that got smashed up by a sky crane during Hurrricane Milton?
If so, the building is set to be demolished.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Everyone hitting the panic button. Yes frustration over how these surgeries were handled, expreimental? Like why? And Godwin’s injury I have heard is typically 5 months to 6 to recover from but not sure of accuracy. It’s been much longer. I think the Bucs when it comes to significant injuries need to get their sh$t together. If any of the above are true, fire the whole medical staff.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Doesn’t sound like Godwin is coming back anytime soon could be more in line with a late October or early November return. We should get Wirfs back by time we play the Eagles in week 4 is my guess. I hope Godwin comes back and plays the same but when he tore up is Leg against the Saints it took him along time to get right even when he started playing. Last year he was finally looking like his old self only to get injured again against the Ravens.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:15 am
Hoping he returns sooner than later. $22 million is a lot of wasted cap money if Godwin does not play this season.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Other thing that gets lost in the weeds, why was Mcmillan playing in two preseason games being a starter? He isnt a rookie. He may have played in all 3. Why? Just bad management of star players, it’s not like he needed it and now he is done for half a season if not more. Stupid decision by coaching staff imo. They see this guy in practice all week, let him play in MEANINGFUL games. If he gets hurt week 1 then at least it was for a game that goes on record. STUPID!!!
August 29th, 2025 at 10:20 am
I just read somewhere that they’ve perfected some way to regenerate cartilage in Germany. I immediately thought of Wirfs and if he has considered that treatment. God I hope he can play for years to come
August 29th, 2025 at 10:27 am
You will see Chris after the bye week.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:33 am
I quit reading the St Pete Times about the same time Hubert Mizell called it a career. The Tampa Trib (and when it was around, the afternoon Tampa Times) were far better products. Anyhow, Rick S might be a bit off his game since his buddy, fellow Dixie Hollins alum: Jim Leavitt made news in the most negative fashion. Speaking of USF, nice to see them boat race Boise State yesterday at RJS. Nice win, Boise melted in the heat and humidity.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Dr. Stroud makes another diagnosis.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:55 am
Godwin not being on IR/PUP seems like roster mismanagement.
August 29th, 2025 at 10:59 am
If Godwin were on IR/PUP he would not be ablle to practice. The fact that he is not is a good sign.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:03 am
Scuttlebutt on one of the shows is 50-50 that Godwin retires. (Possibility of more surgery.) Wirfs is higher 60-40. (Risky experimental surgery) Jmac won’t be back until next year. (Slow healer.) Quarterback quits mid-season. (No one to throw to.) Bowles is given another extension. (He does so much with so little.) Trask wins his lawsuit against the Bucs. (Unjust firing. He spends the $100 on wings and beer.) Tez, hooked on steroids, has a growth spurt and puts on 100 pounds of muscle. (Nine years later he sets the NFL sack record, a fitting end to a HOF career.) A disgruntled fan leaves this site and starts Bucssuck.com. (Rod? That’s your cue)
August 29th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Joe…that was…the best reporting I’ve seen I n a decade
August 29th, 2025 at 11:08 am
Matthew Berry posted a 10 lists of 10 and in one of them was a note on Godwin that said something like… “not as hurt as you think” in brackets like it was a little secret.
Really made me hope that he has been doing a lot of work behind closed doors and will be a surprise lineup addition in week 2 or 3.
Wirfs is certainly more worrying when it comes to our W/L column.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:15 am
I’m guessing Stroud’s guess is really no better than anyone else’s, after gathering all the information, but I am also guessing, that he is probably spot on. LoL.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:23 am
Henry Says: “Hind sight being 20/20, we should have let him walk. This is not how you win a super bowl.”
Yep. He prob should’ve gone to New England and gotten HIS $$$$. Very good chance of this being his last contract, and he might not even see it all the way through. Hate it for Chris. He was having SUCH a great season last year… an ALL-PRO Season 💯.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:32 am
Losing JMac in that worthless preseason game has really forced their hand with Chris. If not for that happening, then I think they could’ve more afforded being much more patient with Chris. You can’t dig yourself ‘too big’ of a hole these first 7-weeks. That JMac injury was A LOT ‘bigger’ than a lot of people know. He’s a GAMER.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:38 am
GatorsBucsFan says: “I remember when Mike Evans turned 29 people were saying his best years are behind him and he wouldn’t impact games as much anymore lol.”
LoL. It’s not even close to being the same thing, dude. Not even CLOSE.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:44 am
On Wirfs, I assume the arthroscopic surgery fixed the problem, and healing from arthoscoptic surgery is fairly quick. So it’s likely a matter of working out to get into game shape. Week 5 to play is a reasonable estimate. Charlie Heck has been OK in camp ( going against Kancey and Hall daily is good training ) and preseason, so my panic level has dropped from 9/10 to 4/10. While not ideal, Bucs will manage.
On Godwin, difficult to say. But I doubt he’ll play before bye week. I’d rather see him healed and 100% down the stretch and playoffs, than 50% earlier and risk a reinjury.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:46 am
MelvinJunior, losing JMac and Godwin was a gut punch to start the season for sure. But figure we are only down net one because of Egbuka. Then figure Tez makes some contributions. Now we’re talking business! You’ve gotta like Shep and Miller. And Godwin and JMac should be back together by midseason. By then maybe Mike will have his thousand and he can get a little rest. We are going to be fine. Fine and Dandy and there just ain’t no doubt about it!
August 29th, 2025 at 11:54 am
What is the “misdirection/misinformation”??
I’m just happy to hear Godwin is working out. If he plays even limited time by week 5 that is great.
August 29th, 2025 at 11:58 am
All gloom and doom on this site. You can get really good odds in Vegas on the Buccaneers going 0 and 17.
August 29th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
When The God goes down his injuries are serious.
We need our men. We serious d play. We can and should beat Falcons.
Let’s roll men🤙🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👊🏾
August 29th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
I know this isn’t about Chris Godwin but I just read a story about Jason Licht not trading for Micah Parsons was a mistake. The story from AtoZ sports said he should have traded Vita Vea and 2 first rounders for Parsons. I wouldn’t trade Vita for Parsons straight up. Plus we don’t have the cap space for Parsons.
August 29th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
This reminds me of the Carl Nicks drama
They diagnosed him with everything from (Turf Toe) to the Gout.
Then while getting treated for his many misdiagnoses
He contracted MRSA, and had to retire
August 29th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Jscycles
Joe reported the procedure here…
August 29th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
This continuing Godwin saga n contract begs the question as to the competency of this teams medical staff. You’d think if the doctors correctly evaluated Godwin after the injury and his first surgery, Licht would have used that to leverage a lower 2025 salary or guaranteed $. But let’s look at the big picture of frequent hamstring and sore tissue injuries during noncontact drills, the drafting of Dennis and Morrison with injuries that seem to linger, the handling of AWJ to the detriment of his game and long-term health, the Jensen affair, and Tristan’s cartilage. The org seems to regularly prematurely pay while chasing diagnosis and treatment. Maybe some oversight is needed in that MASH unit
August 29th, 2025 at 12:19 pm
Don’t believe Bowles, or Licht when discussing player injuries, and time tables. I also don’t trust their medical staff, or trainers. Morrison’s tweaked hammy, has had him miss all of camp. Some tweak. Wirfs needed time, than needed surgery. Complete buffoonery, incompetence, whatever you want to call it. Reporters can keep asking, but you’ll never get a straight answer from these two. Not sure they know, but if they do, they won’t tell you the truth.
August 29th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Jack Meff u a gambling type? I’ll take that bet that Godwin plays this year! How much u got!?$$
August 29th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Jack Meff Says:
Godwin will not play this season, Mark my words.
^^^^^^^^^^
Ugh. I won’t be surprised if we hear about more setbacks. You may be right.
August 29th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
Nobody knows and I won’t believe it until I see it. Jason and Todd are not going to divulge what is really going on, they just spin stories to mollify the press and fans.
August 29th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
stroud and romano write 10x’s better than the joes, ira does too, im only here for the content
August 29th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
There was a reason the front office draft EE. Sure, best player available, but might be other reasoning as well…
August 29th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Pmike
Like ME13 is 32?
August 29th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
With the drafting of Egbuka and Tez Johnson, we have no need to rush Rod God back. He absolutely makes us a better team, and it would be way better to get him back 100% down the stretch than rush him back before he is fully healthy. Evans, Godwin, Egbuka, and Tez gives us weapons arguably as good as the Super Bowl year! LET’S BAKE!
August 29th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
The 20 plus million he is being paid would’ve gone nicely to upgrade the LB core or add another pass rusher
If it was true that the pats gave him a blank check i’d have let him walk, two MAJOR injuries over the last few years, it is just not a smart move when WR’s can be drafted and impact your team right away.
Licht made a HUGE mistake signing him
Godwin will never be the same
August 29th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
I feel very sorry for Godwin.. He’s consistently been a great player for the Bucs. I just don’t think hewill be able to play again at the level we’re used to seeing. Sadly , I think his career may be over
August 29th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
My grandson is a degenerate
August 29th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Not sure about Chris. Don’t see him playing for a while. Maybe the playoffs. Do care about Wirfs and Jmac.
August 29th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Bucs will be 1-4 when Wirfs returns and 2-6 by the time Godwin makes it back. Thanks for playing Chris in garbage time Todd, and hats off to the geniuses who decided surgery in July was a better bet than surgery in February.
Shortest extension since Gruden.
August 29th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
Lotta doctors and prognosticators on this site with zero proof of anything.
Seen an X-ray, or an MRI? Know how to read either if they were planted in front of your face?
Yet, this will happen, that will happen … or is it a “hunch,” Captain Kirk?
BTW— You heard it here first. The planet Mars will be crashing into Earth in six months. I have no evidence of this, but who needs evidence of anything in this day and age?
Just say stuff, be heard despite proof. Empirical evidence be damned!
August 29th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Wirfs week 2, Godwin week 3 or 4 at the latest. I get the feeling there’s a bunch of trolls posting here with different names.
August 29th, 2025 at 3:33 pm
Jmark… sure but would you compare a receiver like EE to ME? Two different types of receivers.
August 29th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Think of Kim for the rays. Better yet, dont think of kim for the rays.
These 2 guys, including dennis andcotton are needed for the playoffs and everything else is just for tune-up purposes imo
August 29th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
And dean makes 5 to not wear out in November
August 29th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
Don’t forget the St Pete Times also took the bailout money during the plague, so I’d add in that they’re also state sponsored media.
As for Godwin, I’ve always thought he’d be out until the middle of the year, and to me, anything that says he’ll get back sooner is good news. I think the play of Double-E is going to have a big impact on that, if he’s doing well and the offense is humming, perhaps they take things a bit more cautiously to let Godwin get closer to 100% before putting him on the field.
Either way, whenever they Godwin back, he’s going to be a huge boost to the offense. Just don’t ever let him on the field with Hospital Ball Bridgewater.
August 29th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
The negativity here is overwhelming. Don’t ever underestimate Chris Godwin and his desire to get back. His heart and work ethic is why Jason was willing to still give him the big contract. If he wasn’t going to be available till after the bye he’d be on the PUP list.
More worried about Todd’s pass defense than our offense.
August 29th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
God bless Chris Godwin!!!
August 29th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Pmike
B.P.A.
August 29th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Pats were offering him multiple millions more, so it’s not like Licht was able to just give any number he wanted.
That said, I do think they believed that Godwin would be able to return by week 2 or 3, which now seems highly unlikely. Probably should have been put on the PUP list…