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One of Monday’s biggest surprises involving an unnamed NFC South receiver Calvin Ridley came from Tampa Bay, where the Pirates are reportedly planning to use the franchise tag for a second year on receiver Chris Godwin. While being on the wrong end of the franchise tag is always bad news for the player, this particular development carries some good news for Godwin.
First, the Buccaneers seem to think that his torn ACL and MCL, taken at week 15 and repaired in early January, are healing well. Why else did the Bucs offer him a 20 percent premium over last year’s franchise tender, giving him $19.18 million in cash and a ceiling spot for 2022?
Second (and related to the first), the pirates must presumably think that there is significant demand for Godwin’s services elsewhere, that he can leave Tampa Bay and make more money on a long-term deal elsewhere.
Third (related to the second), Godwin has to be willing to refuse to sign any long-term contracts with the Bucks because he’s one year away from completely unrestricted free will. Yes, he’ll take the risk of injury in 2022, but the Buccaneers won’t give him quarterback money for 2023, the required amount for the franchise’s third tag. If Godwin is franchised again this year, Godwin will never be franchised again, either in 2023 or at any other point in his career. Even if he moves to another team and his contract expires, a third franchise tag will always result in quarterback money or a 44 percent increase in his cap, whichever is greater.
All in all, this is bad news for Godwin. The rules allow pirates to do this, and teams usually do. However, specifically for Godwin, the fact that the Bucks are supposedly ready to do it, and the fact that in practice they can’t do it again in 2023, makes for a very good thing at a bad time for Godwin.