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Former Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin is considered one of the top receivers on the NFL’s free-agent market this offseason. Despite suffering a torn ACL late in the 2021 regular season, Godwin’s free-agent outlook is still considered pretty good, and he may not even have to pack his bags when all is said and done.
According to Rick Stroud, who covers the NFL for the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would prefer to keep Godwin as a part of its organization.
The NFL’s window to use franchise tags opens today with a deadline of March 8. Ideally, the Bucs would like to reach a long-term deal with Chris Godwin, complicated by his ACL injury. That would enable them to use the tag on another FA like Carlton Davis. Stay tuned.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 22, 2022
The Bucs and Godwin could not come to terms on a long-term deal last offseason after Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl championship run, but the Bucs placed Godwin on a franchise tag for the 2021 season with the intent of continuing to work on keeping the former Nittany Lion a part of the franchise’s plans beyond the 2021 season. Although Godwin is set to become an unrestricted free agent, it makes sense the Bucs would want to continue to try making Godwin a part of their offseason plans.
Godwin has been a key player for the Bucs. Tampa Bay is, of course, going through a bit of a significant transition this offseason with the retirement of quarterback Tom Brady. But if the Bucs can keep a number of key players in place, they can figure out how to fill in the massive void at the quarterback situation through free agency or the trade market (Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson?) or take a plunge in the NFL draft for a quarterback of the future.
How much value Godwin will get in free agency remains to be seen and could be hurt by the fact he is coming off a torn ACL. His max value may have been diminished as an effect, but Godwin still should be signing a rewarding contract this offseason whether it is with Tampa Bay or not.
Hmm. Seems like a couple good options near the top of this list, right? pic.twitter.com/r4ZfGFWNpZ
— Nittany Lions Wire (@NittanyLionWire) February 24, 2022
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