TAMPA — Days before Chris Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle and leg fracture against the Ravens on Oct. 21, the free agent-to-be counted his blessings and not his money.
“I’m so fortunate to be in this position. I really, really feel that way,” Godwin said. ”We were out there today, and it was a beautiful day. We get to do what we love, and we get paid really well. People don’t get these opportunities.
“But that’s not why I play. I’m living a dream. I’m aware of that, but that’s not why I play. If it comes, it comes. I’m here to have a good time. I’m here to help my teammates and the people around me. I’m living my dream.”
That dream will continue for Godwin in Tampa Bay.
Godwin, the Bucs' second-leading all-time receiver, Monday agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract with $44 million guaranteed, two days before the start of the free-agent signing period.
After the Bengals used another franchise tag on receiver Tee Higgins, Godwin became the most desirable free-agent receiver in the league.
Receiver-needy teams such as the Jaguars, Panthers and Patriots, figured to make a run at signing Godwin if he made it to free agency.
But he didn’t. The Bucs re-signed Godwin despite the devastating injury.
Godwin was leading the NFL with 50 receptions, for 576 yards and five touchdowns when he was injured late in a blowout loss to the Ravens following a tackle by linebacker Roquan Smith.
The Bucs are uncertain of the timetable when Godwin will return to form, but they know he will do everything possible to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.
They’ve seen it before. When Godwin suffered two torn knee ligaments in a game against the Saints in December 2021, he was able to start the 2022 season opener at Dallas.
“You’re not just going to get back out there. It’s little steps,” Godwin said in October about his knee injury. “I had no idea going into it, right? I always heard it was little victories. But in my head, at the time in my head, I was like, that’s the process for the first year. But after the first year, I should be good.
“I think one thing people forget is that those first two years (after the injury), I still had 1,000 yards.”
That experience will come in handy this offseason. Now 29, Godwin will be reunited with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, who punctuated an outstanding rookie year with seven touchdowns over his final five regular season games.
Godwin ranks second on the Bucs' career list with 579 receptions for 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns.
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