Chris Godwin Talks Football Love That Not Every Player Has
January 11th, 2026
Chris Godwin is “that man.”
He’s a cornerstone Buccaneer and is coming up on Year 10 in a Tampa Bay uniform.
Godwin knows he’s not like every player he’s been around.
The one-time Pro Bowler and the second-leading receiver in Tampa Bay history was asked on the Buccaneers Radio Network recently about what motivates him to repeatedly push through major injuries, and what he’s learned about himself.
Godwin dislocated his ankle midway through the 2024 season and had a rough road back to the field and finally looked like himself in December of 2025.
Godwin said he knows he’s a game-first, team-first man.
“I think the first thing that really stood out to me was I really love playing football,” Godwin said. “And as you get into being a professional, because high school is like the purest form almost, right? Like it’s truly the love of the game — like Friday Night Lights type of stuff. Then college is pretty similar; I would say like a step down in terms of the motivation for guys, because a lot of guys want to go to the NFL and you’re on the doorstep depending on where you’re at. And then you make it to the league and now it’s a business. So everyone has different things that motivates them.
“Like some guys are in it just for the money. Some guys are in it to just support their families. Some guys just want the fame, and then there are other guys who really love playing the game. And I think that’s where I fall. Because if I found that if I didn’t, if I did not love it, then why put myself through it again. You know, why not just be like, ‘alright I’ve had enough’?
Godwin also talked about agonizing with an ability to push through it.
“And also when I was going through the beginning part [after the injury last year] I couldn’t stay away from the game. I was watching every single game that we were playing. I think I went to the next game, the next home game. I’m on a scooter in a ton of pain. I’m sitting in the booth just because I want to be around the guys; I want to be around the game and was just like itching. I’m just like, ‘Man, I just can’t wait to be back out there again,'” Godwin said. “And so I think that’s probably the biggest thing I learned. And then I would say following that, just how resilient my body is as a whole. When I look at it, I’ve put it through so much … I have a very like resilient body. And my mind is resilient and is strong. And I’m grateful for that, because I’m not sure how many people would be fine going through what I was going through, but also have the approach that I have. Again, I don’t know if where that was created, but I’m grateful that that’s my existence.”
It’s a big 2026 ahead for Godwin. Joe thinks it has to be Godwin’s final year in Tampa if he can’t stay healthy. The various contract-tracker websites claim Godwin has no cash guaranteed him beyond the ’26 season.
January 11th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
That is a MAN.
Sadly, too many losers on the 2025 team.
Licht, you need to fix this. Or you can go, too. You lied to everyone last year.
January 11th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Just saw the JAGs lost. It’s a better Sunday already. Bye Liam!
January 11th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Light needs to stop drafting alter boys and start drafting mean tough players.
January 11th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
The Liam Coen fan boys are in tears LMAO!!
January 11th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
Yup both Canales and Coen are out. 🙂
January 11th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
And the great Toad was never in…..
January 11th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Canales and Coen fan boys are out
January 11th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
As long as Bowles is coaching this team, they’ll never go anywhere. Other teams in division are on the upswing.
January 11th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Karma found that tool bag leprechaun in Duval today
January 11th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
I know Canales and Coen have both been eliminated but both those teams played hard and with urgency against more talented teams. They both looked like they deserved to be there which makes this Bucs situation that much harder to endure as a fan.
January 11th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
If the Eagles lose, I know how I’m spending the rest of my day — listening to Philly sports talk where all the Philly trash will be having a complete meltdown, calling for the coach and GM to be fired, saying Hurts can’t win the big game (didn’t he just do that?), that Barkley is used up, that AJ Brown is a bum, this team will be lucky to win 5 games next year with this coaching staff, etc. Hopefully they’ll burn down the city in protest.
January 11th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
@steven – I asked you some simple questions…
Do the Brady years give Licht a lifetime contract? Yes or No?
Is .449% a good winning %? Yes or no?
If you had any coach or GM after 12 years and a .449% would you keep the loser on staff? Why?
January 11th, 2026 at 5:49 pm
We were 11 on the list with the most injuries.
The 49ers was 3rd and just last week they were playing for the#1 seed.
Is that coaching and some gd front office work ?
January 11th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
TheScourge…
Your correct!
January 11th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Lmao at all the Liam Coen and Canales bashing. Both are proving to he better HC then the current clown in charge. We all know every single one of us rather have have Coen as HC right now, so why hate on the guy for taking a HC opportunity the Bucs didn’t have the courage to offer
January 11th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
Yea I don’t do the bashing of the previous OC if I was Cohen I would took the that job too that’s a no brainer. Better qb to work with Full 🛑 we just a middle of the pack team. You have to be basement bad to get Trevor, Burrows, Herbert. or just offensive of guru to get players like Bo Nix, Purdy. I tell you what you do grab one of those OC in title only from 49ers or the rams and then after this yea Baker last year give me Matt Jones back up from the 49ers. With our receivers and new TE I hope we draft.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
F philly and everthing in it
January 11th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Coen went 13-4 in his first season as head coach of a losing franchise, made the playoffs, and was very competitive. Not sure we are in a position to talk.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
If anybody wants to know what the definition of a good coaching staff is…..
SAN FRANCISCO 49RS !!!!
They’ve been decimated by injuries all year!!!
They on their 5th, 6th, 7th string linebackers!!
No names on the d-line…..
Go into Philly and beat them!!
Totally badass!
Props to Lynch, & Shanahan!!
Great job guys!!!
January 11th, 2026 at 7:53 pm
How fantastic to see the Eagles lose! Tell me coaching doesn’t matter. And they lost Kittle early.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
I know everyone is talking about Canales and Coen, getting out of here! I want to know about John “the Hit Man” Lynch, can you trade for a new GM? If so we need to do it! can You imagine what our defense would look like with him being the GM! We need to get Lynch back ASAP!!!!
January 11th, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Lynch is from California. He’s not coming back. He’s also not a fan of how his career here ended.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
So funny to read Eagles fan sites right now. Everyone wants Siriani gone, AJ Brown gone, Hurts gone, the OC gone. Jesus, they’ve won 2 Superbowls and they are losing their crap!
January 11th, 2026 at 8:13 pm
I think 98% of Buc Fans would rather have Coen instead of Bowles!! Bud Licht screwed that one up
January 11th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
Alvin Scissors Harper Says:
January 11th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
So funny to read Eagles fan sites right now. Everyone wants Siriani gone, AJ Brown gone, Hurts gone, the OC gone. Jesus, they’ve won 2 Superbowls and they are losing their crap!
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Yep, I’m listening to sports talk there and they’re saying the OC must be fired before tomorrow, Hurts isn’t a good QB and needs to go, Sirianni got lucky last year, and this year he showed he’s not a good coach and he needs to go. AJ Brown needs to go, the kicker needs to go, etc. I love fan meltdowns, but Philly meltdowns are the best as they’re the biggest pieces of trash in the NFL, so it’s even more fun to point and laugh at them.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:16 pm
NDog is an Idiot Says:
January 11th, 2026 at 8:13 pm
I think 98% of Buc Fans would rather have Coen instead of Bowles!! Bud Licht screwed that one up
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So if the Bucs were going to make Coen the headcoach last year, explain the process, how it happens.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
And I forgot about the kicker, Rod. Yes, they’re calling for his head too. Filthydelphia is a lousy place to live, clearly. People there are completely miserable!
January 11th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
I love Chris Godwin so much. Football Playing Dude of the highest order.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
How it happens? You fire Bowles and promote Coen. You pay out Bowles contract and he can be lazy.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:49 pm
49ers are coached up real good. I noticed 3rd stringers playing their butts off. They were aggressive and really hitting and made the tackle. Shanahan called a good game. I’m fine with Bowles firing the coaches but at what point will owners realize he’s the problem. Bowles does not come off with a killer instinct or punch you in the face personality type coach so why would the players have one. After BA passed the torch to him in 2022, he did away with the no risk it no biscuit philosophy. My belief is once Bowles became the head coach, he’s been trying to prove to everyone that he can coach the team better than BA. I don’t think so, we!re talking apples and oranges. All Bowles had to do was stick with the plan, if it ain’t broken, don’t try to fix it n he would be in a much better position as a head coach. He’s stubborn n despise the fans when they critique his play calls n poor decision making.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:50 pm
Well, let’s trade for Hurts, tonight! I mean right now….Lets Go Bucs