Chris Godwin may not be the flashiest piece in Tampa Bay’s offense anymore, but he still looks like one of its most reliable. In a season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the veteran receiver did exactly what the Buccaneers needed from him: four targets, four catches, 40 yards, and a steady presence in the passing game. He added one carry for three yards as Tampa Bay dropped a 33-27 decision.
Baker Mayfield’s afternoon never really took off, either. The quarterback finished with 216 passing yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and 23 completions in what was a fairly ordinary performance from a player many see as an MVP candidate if the wins start piling up.
That’s where Godwin’s current value comes in. In his tenth season in Tampa, he’s being asked to work from the slot, or X-position, where his sure hands and versatility can help the offense stay on schedule, especially on third down. If the Buccaneers use him that way consistently, it could ease some of the pressure on Mayfield.
“[Godwin is] into it mentally,” Tampa head coach Todd Bowles said about the pass catcher during training camp, according to JoeBucsFan. “He’s sharp.
He’s tough. He understands it.
He’s a great mentor to the guys. He makes big plays for us in the passing and blocking game.
I think right now he’s peaking at the right time.”
Godwin’s path to this point started at Penn State, where he was one of the Big Ten’s most productive wideouts. He piled up 2,404 yards and 18 touchdowns in college before the Buccaneers took him in the third round with the 84th overall pick in the 2017 National Football League Draft.
His peak season as a pro came in 2019. Godwin caught 86 passes for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games, averaging 15.5 yards per reception. That production ranked third in the NFL in receiving yards and earned him his first Pro Bowl nod along with AP Second-Team All-Pro honors.
With longtime teammate Mike Evans gone, Godwin has also taken on a bigger leadership role. The Buccaneers are leaning on him to help guide the younger receivers, and the team will need that voice if it wants to get back to the postseason in 2026. Even in his current role, Godwin still has a real chance to shape how successful this season becomes.
"If I see something that might be able to help, then I loan that advice because that is what I would have wanted in myself that the older guys did for me," Godwin stated about his current role. "Give advice when I see fit. I am not just trying to speak just to speak."
In Other News...
Tristan Wirfs Rare Bucs Feat Looks Even More Remarkable Now
When the Detroit Lions shifted All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to the left side this season, it brought fresh attention to a move the Buccaneers already know can be tricky. Tristan Wirfs made the same switch in 2023, and he did it while still looking like one of the leagues best linemen, which only adds to how unusual that transition really is.
Sewell has had a tougher opening to the change, and the early contrast underscores how rare it is for a tackle to flip sides without a noticeable dip. For Tampa Bay, Wirfs first year on the left now looks even more impressive, a reminder that what seemed like a smooth adjustment was actually a remarkable feat. [Read more 🡒]
Ja'Marr Chase Had A Revealing Reaction To Buccaneers' Defensive Showing
JaMarr Chases quiet opener was notable not just for the numbers, but for the way he framed them afterward. After catching only two passes in Cincinnatis season-opening win, the receiver said an earlier version of himself might have let that kind of outing get to him, but hes now more focused on staying mentally locked in and ready for whatever the game script brings. He also made it clear he did not ask Joe Burrow for more targets, a small but telling sign of where his head is as the Bengals move on.
Chases comments land with added weight for the Buccaneers, who know how quickly a receiver of his caliber can change a game once hes fully engaged. He also gave Houstons defense its due ahead of the next matchup, which only adds to the sense that opposing coordinators are still trying to figure out how to keep him from taking over. For Tampa Bay, it is another reminder that even when a star has a quiet day, the threat level never really goes away. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Need A Fast Bounce Back From These Key Players
The Buccaneers Week 1 loss to the Bengals left enough to unpack, but the bigger concern was how a few of the teams most important pieces looked in the opener. Baker Mayfield, Alex Anzalone and Yaya Diaby were all flagged in the analysis as players who did not deliver at the level Tampa Bay needs, and that matters even more with Cleveland up next.
A fast rebound from that group could go a long way toward settling things down for a team that came up short in a 33-27 defeat. The schedule does not leave much room for lingering disappointment, and the Browns present another chance for Tampa Bay to show that the opener was a blip rather than a sign of deeper problems. [Read more 🡒]