5 landing spots for Chris Godwin in 2022 NFL free agency
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin will hit the free agency market as one of the most coveted wideouts in 2022—and here’s who might snag him.
When Chris Godwin fell with a knee injury against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15, it spelled immediate trouble for the Bucs offense as they headed into the postseason. Without Godwin and Brown, Tom Brady could do little with the Buccaneers offense against the Los Angeles Rams — until he mounted an incredible 24-point comeback that tragically came too short.
The bad news is that the Buccaneers missed out on back-to-back rings and Tom Brady has now retired, but the good news is that Chris Godwin is healing from successful surgery to repair his torn ACL and MCL ligaments.
#Bucs star WR Chris Godwin underwent successful surgery to repair his ACL and MCL, a procedure performed by noted expert Dr. James Andrews in Florida today, source said. There was no meniscus damage for the pending top free agent, who will make a full recovery.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2022
Godwin is slated to be a free agent in 2022, and while coming off an injury certainly hurts his market value, savvy teams know that Godwin strives to land passes no matter what—even if he has to break his finger to catch them.
Chris Godwin would be an asset on any team, but there are five in particular that could specifically utilize Godwin to improve their championship chances.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For now, Godwin hasn’t ruled out re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Bucs clearly have an advantage when it comes to their relationship with their longtime receiver.
It was the Bucs who drafted Godwin with the No. 84 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Godwin increased his catches and yardage with each year as his role in the offense increased, and although he actually saw a dip in yardage between 2019 and 2020, Godwin was one of Brady’s most trusted clutch targets: think Julian Edelman or Danny Amendola in Super Bowl LI.
Godwin’s absence made it glaringly clear how badly the Bucs need him to succeed, and since his asking price might be hindered by his injury, it’s possible that the Bucs could re-sign him while managing their cap well in the years to come. Godwin can stay, Godwin can get paid, and the Bucs could have a hope of coping in the aftermath of Brady’s departure.