According to reports, the New England Patriots are expected to be the “driving force” behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wide receiver Chris Godwin‘s free agency market should he make it there.
Patriots To Be Driving Force Behind Chris Godwin’s Market
With the NFL free agency period getting underway, Buccaneers free agent wide receiver Chris Godwin is expected to command top dollar on the market. The New England Patriots, who currently have the most cap space in the NFL, are expected to make a big offer to Godwin. Reports are that Godwin could excess more than $25 million a year and many teams will be interested in his services.
Per league sources, Chris Godwin will be incredibly sought after, assuming he gets to free agency. Patriots expected to be the driver there. It’s gonna cost more money than you would have thought (think in excess of $25 million per) despite the season-ending injury.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 7, 2025
There was a lot of curiosity around Godwin’s free agent market because the Super Bowl-winning receiver is one of the best in the league. he suffered a season-ending dislocated ankle injury during the 2024 season. Before his injury in week eight of 2024, Godwin had produced 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns. All were among the top of the league at the time of his injury.
Godwin has spent the entirety of his eight-year career in Tampa Bay, and though he will command a big payday on the open market, the Buccaneers are trying to make it hard on Godwin to leave Tampa Bay for another team. Sara Walsh of the NFL Network believes that his familiarity with Tampa Bay would make it hard for him to leave.
“It’s obviously very alluring for Chris to stay here in Tampa,” Walsh said. “This is the only team he has known,he and Mike Evans have been one of the most productive duos in the NFL. And he like Baker Mayfield have a good thing going. The Bucs are going to try to make it hard for him to leave.”
New England is an intriguing destination for any playmaker in free agency because they can offer the most money. If Godwin is looking for what likely is to be the last biggest payday of his career, New England makes a lot of sense. At the same time, if Godwin’s intent is to stay in Tampa Bay, he could use whatever the Patriots plan to offer him as a leverage play to Tampa to get what he feels he deserves.
One thing is for sure: whether it’s Godwin or any other veteran receivers out there, the Patriots will make it hard for any team trying to retain its top playmaker.
Godwin Expected To Have Multiple Suitors
Many teams will have their eye on Godwin because of the lack of top-end options on the market. The Patriots probably believe that Godwin will be a top playmaker for their second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, and could be a good influence on a young receiver room in New England. While there are teams with young quarterbacks who could use Godwin on their team, there are also contending teams with veteran teams who could use Godwin’s services as well.
Godwin’s offensive coordinator in 2024 was now Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who could be an option for Godwin. The Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, and the Seattle Seahawks could be an option for Godwin, especially if Seattle decides to trade away star receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Main Image: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
