Chris Godwin became a legend at Penn State when he, Trace McSorley, and Saquon Barkley led the Nittany Lions to the 2016 Big Ten Championship. Now, he’s cementing his status as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend as the 29-year-old wide receiver signed a three-year $66 million contract to stay put in the NFC South.
Godwin’s deal could tie him to Tampa Bay through his age-32 season, likely the rest of his NFL prime. If the veteran receiver hits all of his incentives, the value could reach $72 million, but only the first two years of the deal are fully guaranteed. He may have cashed in even more if he hadn’t suffered a season-ending ankle dislocation in Week 7 of the 2024 season. Godwin ended the year with 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns through seven games, possibly heading toward the most productive year of his career.
A third-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, Godwin has spent his career as the 1B option to future hall-of-fame wide receiver Mike Evans. Evans has been a 1,000-yard receiver for each of his first 11 years in the league, but nearly missed the mark in 14 games last year, and could be declining as he heads into his mid-thirties. Godwin is second to Evans in Tampa Bay franchise history in most receiving categories and the Super Bowl champion is already an all-time great Buccaneer.
This was likely Godwin's last opportunity to cash in with a multi-year contract, and while he had other suitors on the open market, a return to Tampa always made the most sense.
While his college career is beginning to feel like far away history, a big-time Penn State receiver signing another massive NFL contract could help the Nittany Lions recruiting pitch as James Franklin and wide receivers coach Marques Hagans look to rebuild that room for the future.
Penn State produced quality wide receivers for much of Franklin’s early years in Happy Valley from Godwin to KJ Hamler and Jahan Dotson, but it’s been a while since the Nittany Lions have had a bonafide future NFL playmaker on the outside.