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Bucs Reaffirm Chris Godwin Stance Amid Free Agency Frenzy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 8:29 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' thoughts on keeping free-agent-to-be Chris Godwin have been the same all throughout the offseason - they want him.

With the franchise moving the voidable year deadline to March 12, there is now no way he can be franchise-tagged, which means either a new contract is coming, or Godwin will be on another team in 2025.

Tee Higgins has been franchise-tagged, and Deebo Samuel is now with the Washington Commanders. That's two big pieces of receiver news, but now Godwin is the clear number 1 free agency target...if he makes it there.

ESPN's Jenna Laine posted to X to ensure everyone understood the Bucs' position on keeping Godwin.

"In case it was unclear — the Bucs very much want Chris Godwin back," Laine posted. "They’re just not gonna franchise tag him. It wouldn’t make any sense to tag him a third time. And Chris loves Tampa. The Bucs are hopeful to get a new deal done."

"Hopeful" is a good starting point, but the Buccaneers are running out of time to agree to terms, and if they can't, there will be ample teams waiting to snap him up.

There is still time, and with the ability to tag Chris gone, it certainly does feel like whatever Godwin is asking for, the Buccaneers will eventually end up paying.

Yes, he's coming off a nasty ankle injury, but he was flying prior to that, so there is still juice in the tank.

The Bucs have repeatedly stated they want to have Godwin retained, but time is running out for the franchise to sort out No. 14's future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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