Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise player Chris Godwin has reached an agreement on a three-year, $60 million deal, including $40 million fully guaranteed at signing, sources told ESPN’s Adam Shefter and Jenna Lane on Wednesday.
Godwin wanted a three-year contract so he could become a free agent again at age 29, and the Bucks were able to lower his first year cap to just $5 million, adding invalid years to the deal, lowering it from the $19 million he’d Would have come with a tag, sources told Laine.
On March 8, the Bucs placed their franchise label on Veteran Receiver for the second year in a row. .
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Godwin suffered an ACL tear in the Bucks’ Week 15 loss to the New Orleans Saints, ending his season. Even with the injury, he finished the season with the best record on the team, with 1,103 yards and 98 receptions.
Godwin, who turned 26 in February, underwent surgery during the off-season to repair the injury. Coach Bruce Arians said at an NFL camp that Godwin was about 40% healed from his injury and that he was not worried about the receiver’s ability to bounce back.
“Knowing Chris and how he works – he had a good operation and now these guys are coming back faster and faster – I don’t think that will be a problem at all,” Arians said.
Last year, the Bucs were unable to negotiate a new contract with Godwin, instead labeling him as a $16 million franchise. Over the past three seasons, Godwin has amassed 3,276 receiving yards – eighth in the league in that span – while his 249 interceptions rank 10th and 21 touchdowns rank 12th.
He has 342 receptions for 4,643 yards and 29 touchdowns in five seasons.