The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are continuing negotiations with star wideout free agent Chris Godwin as the calendar rolls into the weekend before the new league year starts.
On Monday, the "legal tampering period" begins, which means teams can begin to negotiate with free agents who aren't their own. Contracts cannot be signed until Wednesday, the official first day of the new NFL season.
Pro Football Talk named its top five free agents coming on the market this season and tabbed two wideouts. Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins and Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin were Nos. 1 and 5 respectively.
Higgens was franchise-tagged by the Bengals on March 3, meaning if he doesn't sign a long-term deal with the team before July 15, he'll play in Cincinnati unless he's traded.
Godwin will become a free agent on Wednesday unless he and the Buccaneers can come to terms on a new deal before Monday, which means general manager Jason Licht will be bidding against other teams, which could raise Godwin's asking price.
Of the top five players on PFT's list, two have been tagged.
Higgins and Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith, who was tagged on Feb. 27 is No. 3. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is No. 2 on the list and Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat is No. 4.
Bucs fans should remember, too, that Mike Evans will be playing out the final year of his current contract in 2025 and can revisit free agency next offseason.
Related: Bucs Could Aim Trade Talks for Bengals Game-Changing Edge Rusher
That's something Licht and the Bucs will be thinking about too.
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This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 8:19 AM.