Bucs, Godwin 'working on' long-term deal, may use tag

Chris Godwin is looking to cash in. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers, star WR Chris Godwin 'working on' long-term deal, will use franchise tag if no deal reached

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/8/22

It was reported on Monday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could use the franchise tag on star wide receiver Chris Godwin if no agreement on a new long-term deal was reached. It would be the second consecutive offseason in which the Bucs franchise-tagged Godwin.

On Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed Monday's report.

I want to correct this: The #Bucs are franchise tagging WR Chris Godwin if they don’t get a long-term deal done. That is, at this moment, still possible. Regardless, he’ll be on the team in 2022. https://t.co/KBiq6lpgpt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2022

The #Bucs and WR Chris Godwin are working on a long-term deal and he’ll be tagged if they don’t get a deal. No deal is close or imminent. But a deal is at least in the realm of possibility, so a final answer will come closer to 4 pm.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2022

In the midst of another stellar campaign in December 2021, it appeared that the chances of Godwin earning a long-term extension this offseason were increasing. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL and an MCL injury on Dec. 19, missing the end of the regular season and the playoffs though.

Still, Godwin ended the year leading all Tampa Bay players with 127 targets, 98 receptions and 1,103 receiving yards, adding five touchdowns through the air as well.

If Godwin were to get tagged as expected, he would be the third prominent pass-catching option to get the label on Tuesday alone, joining tight ends Mike Gesicki of the Miami Dolphins and Dalton Schultz of the Dallas Cowboys. Per PFT's Myles Simmons, Godwin would be set to earn $19.18 million if he plays on the franchise tag for the 2022 campaign.

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