Chris Godwin's amended contract increases chances he stays with Bucs

One potentially significant free-agent wide receiver might be off the board weeks before free agency begins.

On Wednesday, NFL.com reported that Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin, who will be an unrestricted free agent in March, agreed with the organization to set a new date for when his contract officially voids.

According to NFL.com, Godwin's contract was initially set to void on Feb. 17, but the two sides extended the deadline to March 12, the start of the 2025 league year.

"The adjustment gives the Buccaneers and Godwin more time to work on a potential new deal," NFL.com reported.

Godwin suffered a season-ending lower leg injury in Week 7 against the Ravens in 2024. Before his injury, Godwin had 50 receptions, 576 yards and five touchdowns. His 82.3 receiving yards per game were his most since 2019 (95.2 receiving yards per game).

Along with fellow wideout Mike Evans, Godwin gives Tampa Bay one of the league's best 1-2 punches at the receiver position.

While extending Godwin's deadline doesn't mean his return to Tampa is a done deal, it's a positive sign that the two parties are working together to complete the contract.

If Godwin doesn't hit the open market, that will be another hit to a weak wide receiver free-agent class. The Bengals plan to apply the franchise tag to receiver Tee Higgins, arguably the best player who was set to reach free agency this offseason.

The top options are aging veterans, including Amari Cooper, 31, Stefon Diggs, 32, and Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins, 33. 

49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, 29, will likely vault to the top of the list if he's cut by San Francisco, which ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano expects to happen after the six-year veteran requested a trade.

"From a cap standpoint, [the 49ers] really can't trade him," wrote Graziano.

"The 49ers would take on $31.55 million in dead money cap chargers for 2025 if they traded Samuel," Graziano elaborated.

Samuel should command robust interest from wide receiver-needy teams. With Godwin potentially off the table, Tampa Bay probably won't be one of them.