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Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin found the end zone in a 21-18 win over the Panthers in Week 13, but it did not come from catching a touchdown pass. In the fourth quarter, Godwin took an end around 19 yards to score for his second touchdown of the season. While it was encouraging to see him score, it is not something he has done much of in 2023.
Adding to this is the fact that Godwin did not have a single catch on three targets, and as the year has gone on he has been less involved within the offense.
Where does the issue lie with Chris Godwin’s lack of productivity, and how can it be fixed so Godwin can get back to his old ways of production?
Is The Scheme The Issue For Chris Godwin?
Chris Godwin has still been targeted on offense plenty this season, it just has not amounted to the kind of production one would come to expect from the seventh-year wide receiver. Through 12 games this season, he has caught 53 passes on 85 targets for 606 yards and a touchdown. But after a solid three-game stretch against the Saints, Lions, and Falcons earlier in the year, Godwin has largely disappeared in the Bucs’ passing attack.
Let’s look at the last four-game stretch between Tampa Bay’s top three wide receivers:
Mike Evans
7 catches on 12 targets, 162 yards, touchdown vs. Panthers
6 catches on 9 targets, 70 yards, 2 touchdowns at Colts
5 catches on 12 targets, 43 yards, touchdown at 49ers
6 catches on 10 targets, 143 yards, touchdown vs Titans
Total: 24 catches on 43 targets, 418 yards, 5 touchdowns
Chris Godwin
0 catches on 3 targets, 0 yards vs. Panthers
3 catches on 7 targets, 45 yards at Colts
6 catches on 7 targets, 39 yards at 49ers
4 catches on 6 targets, 54 yards vs. Titans
Total: 13 catches on 23 targets, 138 yards, 0 touchdowns
Trey Palmer
2 catches on 5 targets, 12 yards vs. Panthers
4 catches on 5 targets, 17 yards at Colts
4 catches on 6 targets, 22 yards at 49ers
2 catches on 4 targets, 21 yards vs. Titans
Total: 12 catches on 20 targets, 72 yards, 0 touchdowns
To be fair, Mike Evans has been one of the top wide receivers this season and is a Hall of Fame-caliber player whom the team cannot afford to let leave. Nearly any wideout compared to him will fall short, but Chris Godwin’s production over this recent stretch is barely better than Trey Palmer’s, a rookie sixth-round pick.
There are a combination of factors pointing to Godwin’s recent ineffectiveness, from quarterback Baker Mayfield going to Evans as his primary read often to offensive coordinator Dave Canales not utilizing Godwin in a way to catch defenses off guard.
He has not been game-planned to be a true No. 1 wide receiver on offense besides the Saints game after Evans left with an injury. That was the only time this season Godwin has reached 100 receiving yards. Canales said last week before the Panthers game that he would like to get Godwin going.
“I would love to just get Chris [Godwin] going and find the things that he does well – find the right coverage attacks to put him in the right spots like that,” Canales said. “It’s something that I’m going to keep battling to do because I love Chris and what he’s about. I really believe in the guy.”
While Canales has also stated throughout this season that the passing game starts with Evans and Godwin, Evans has been the main beneficiary while Godwin has not been barely targeted downfield at all. With that being the case, should he go back into the slot instead of being on the outside to have more of an impact?
Should The Bucs Put Chris Godwin Back In The Slot?
On last Thursday’s Pewter Report Podcast, fellow Pewter Reporter Matt Matera and I discussed what has happened to Chris Godwin, and one of the talking points that we had is that Godwin’s slot usage versus being out wide compared to both last season and during his best season in 2019 has gone way down.
2019: 939 total snaps
518 snaps in the slot
349 snaps out wide
55.2% of snaps in the slot
Total: 86 catches on 121 targets, 1,333 yards, 9 touchdowns
2022: 956 total snaps
628 snaps in the slot
311 snaps out wide
65.7% of snaps in the slot
Total: 104 catches on 142 targets, 1,023 yards, 3 touchdowns
2023: 627 total snaps (through Week 13)
201 snaps in the slot
424 snaps out wide
32% of snaps in the slot
Total: 53 catches on 85 targets, 606 yards, 1 touchdown
No longer being in a Bruce Arians’ style offense has hurt Chris Godwin’s impact on games, as he has not been consistently put in positions to get manufactured touches on screens and short passes, and instead has to rely on his explosiveness and winning one-on-ones on the outside. While Godwin stated over the offseason that his explosiveness was coming back, it is hard to find a time in recent weeks where he definitively beat his matchup and created enough separation downfield to make a big play.
If that is the case and he is no longer the same deep threat that he was earlier in his career, moving him back into the slot could be a way to still utilize him in shorter-field situations. When asked about using Godwin more in the slot, Dave Canales spoke about how he wants to continue building the offense.
“I think if you look at our film, he’s in the slot a lot, Canales said last week. “Even though he’s technically the ‘Z’ receiver, we have ways in our different one-by-three, two-by-two builds where we are getting him in the slot on some opportunities. I’m just betting on the guy. I’m betting on how he’s wired and made up and the way he works every day that he’s going to find his way to continue to work through things. And then also that Baker [Mayfield] is going to learn how to throw to this particular player.
“I think I’ve said it up here a lot of times, but we start the pass game with Mike [Evans] and Chris. [We are] continuing to build those things that way and hopefully the coverages that we’re getting allow the ball to find him a little bit more.”
While Evans has established that he’s still got it to be a dominant No. 1 receiver and Rachaad White has started heating up both on the ground and as a receiver, getting Godwin going is the last piece of the puzzle to unlock a new level of the offense.
Chris Godwin Is The Last Piece Of Bucs OC Dave Canales’ Offensive Puzzle
The sentiment on offense this season is that it has been so close. So close to getting it together and putting points on the board. So close to establishing the run game. While they have continued to make progress throughout the season, one key element has been missing. And that is Chris Godwin.
While parts of the offense have improved since last season, Godwin has not. He may not have been at 100% against the Panthers due to a lingering neck injury, but his lack of a catch last week was not because he was not on the field a lot. His snap count on Sunday actually paced the wide receiver group.
They were not subbing him out a lot. Godwin played 52 of 62 snaps, and 31 of 35 passing plays.
Played 50 of 60 snaps and 36 of 40 pass plays the week before. 57 of 71 overall, 43 of 53 pass plays the week before that. https://t.co/GZKbHYuOlV
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) December 4, 2023
At this point, something needs to change to get Chris Godwin the ball in more advantageous situations. Mike Evans has largely put the passing offense on his back this season and even more so during this recent stretch. The Bucs surely imagined at some point that Godwin would start to step up and help the 30-year old Evans out.
That has not happened yet, and one wonders if it will. Godwin, who is the team’s highest-paid receiver, averaging $20 million per season, has the rest of this year and 2024 to showcase that he is the Buccaneers’ No. 1 wide receiver long-term.
Otherwise, the team could pivot to re-signing Mike Evans and look at adding another receiver to eventually replace Godwin.
More must-reads:
- Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb sends strong message after tempers flare at training camp
- Commanders' Jayden Daniels discusses Terry McLaurin's holdout amid contract dispute
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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5 Commanders oozing superstar swagger on strong Day 1 of camp
Football is back, and the Washington Commanders are embarking on their most crucial part of preparations for the 2025 campaign at training camp. Excitement hasn't been higher where the Commanders are concerned, at least for the last two decades if not more. Dan Quinn led his team on a truly remarkable run to the NFC Championship game last time around. But for this incredible early success to be sustained, everyone must turn the page accordingly. Looking at the mentality in the locker room, there's nothing for fans to worry about on that front. There is a strong will to win and go one better. Every player, whether they're an established franchise cornerstone or an undrafted rookie looking to make their way, is on the same page. And they will have no problem calling out their teammates if standards are slipping. Terry McLaurin's absence as he awaits a new contract was the only lingering cloud hanging over the franchise. The wide receiver is taking a stand, and the Commanders haven't budged as yet. But given the player's professionalism and team-first mindset, he'll be ready to hit the ground running upon rejoining his teammates. Until then, others will be tasked with picking up the slack. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on Day 1 of training camp. Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on strong Day 1 of camp Von Miller - Commanders DE/OLB Fans were pleading for general manager Adam Peters to sign another edge rusher before the season. They were starting to panic, but those in power always had one primary option in mind. The Washington Commanders signed future Pro Football Hall of Fame pass-rusher Von Miller on a one-year deal. He's firmly in the tail-end of his career, and the former No. 2 pick out of Texas A M is far from the force of old, but there's a growing sense he can make an impact for Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive front, albeit in the short term. Miller, who is wearing No. 24 in Washington to honor close friend Champ Bailey and the late Kobe Bryant, left a positive impression on Day 1. There is a natural aura about the player that others naturally gravitate towards. And given the accomplishments he's accumulated throughout a glittering career, the respect he commanded was instant. The Commanders won't task Miller with too much. Dan Quinn and his staff know he'll be ready when the time comes, so they can take things slowly and keep complications to a minimum. However, there was enough to suggest he can impact proceedings in some capacity. Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR All eyes were on wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to begin training camp. There is no Terry McLaurin around as yet, so the recent trade acquisition from the San Francisco 49ers moved into the No. 1 spot until further notice. Samuel's heard all the criticism coming his way this offseason. Accusations of being overweight and out of shape were rife from analysts and former pros. The former second-round pick stayed grinding, working hard away from the team in pursuit of hitting the ground running at training camp. The dedication is already reaping rewards. Samuel looked lean and sharp to kick off camp. And it didn't take long for his developing chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels to turn heads. On Daniels' first pass of scrimmages, he made a statement. Tyler Owens, who was getting first-team reps in the nickel, had pretty good coverage on Samuel. The throw was good, the route was good, and the catch was clinical. This represents a small glimpse of what Samuel can bring to the Washington Commanders. The Niners might have given up on the wideout, but general manager Adam Peters was confident that there was still a lot of good football left. And the South Carolina product is doing everything possible to repay this faith. So far, so good. Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB The Commanders' cornerback room is expected to become an area of strength if everyone meets expectations and, more importantly, stays healthy. One player has gotten lost in the shuffle somewhat, but Noah Igbinoghene was quick to remind people why general manager Adam Peters gave him another one-year deal this offseason. Igbinoghene is coming off the best campaign of his professional career in 2024. It wasn't perfect, but there were glimpses of why the Miami Dolphins took him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. And it's also worth remembering that he's still just 25 years old entering his sixth season. Washington drafted Trey Amos in the second round. They signed free-agent Jonathan Jones. Mike Sainristil is a superstar in waiting, and Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore looks explosive after finally getting over his frustrating hamstring issue. That will make it more difficult for Igbinoghene, but his impressive start on Day 1 of training camp indicates he won't be going down without a fight. The former Auburn standout looked assured, forcing an outstanding incompletion with tight coverage on rookie wideout Jaylin Lane. There's no way Igbinoghene isn't going to make the squad, but stronger efforts like this could see him retain his place as a key part of the rotation, too. Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB There is an enormous sense of intrigue around Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The seventh-round running back made an impressive start to the Washington Commanders' offseason program. He wasted no time in making a similar impact when training camp commenced. Croskey-Merritt plays with a chip on his shoulder. The NCAA revoked his eligibility one game into his transfer to Arizona, which saw his draft stock plummet. He had to wait until the No. 245 pick before the Commanders came calling, but the rookie isn't carrying himself like a roster bubble candidate. One cannot help but be impressed by the way Croskey-Merritt goes about his business. There is urgency to everything he does, and this came across once again on Day 1. The backfield threat set the tone early by exploding for a touchdown. Croskey-Merritt also displayed his athletic elusiveness by juking away from safety Ben Nikkel for another big gain later on. This is a positive start from Croskey-Merritt. In all honesty, nobody should have expected anything less. Croskey-Merritt is not coming to settle for a secondary role. He aims to make an immediate impact on the offensive rotation and make a lasting contribution in whatever role is assigned by the coaching staff. Preseason and joint practices will provide more insight, but the trajectory is pointing upward. Ja'Corey Brooks - Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is officially holding out on the reserve/did not report list until his new contract extension gets resolved. The wide receiver is in the area and will be ready to go immediately after some middle ground is reached. Until then, other wide receivers are getting a chance to stake their respective claims. Not many are anticipating a long holdout. McLaurin is too pivotal to the team's plans for that, so those further down the pecking order must take advantage of increased role until the alpha dog gets back into the fold. The significance wasn't lost on Ja'Corey Brooks. He's looking to surge into roster consideration after going undrafted out of Louisville. A poor 40-yard dash time hurt his stock enough for teams to look the other way. However, the Commanders believe he can become a rough diamond with the correct coaching throughout the summer. Brooks was among the standout performers on Day 1 of training camp. He was an extremely difficult cover for opposing defensive backs during scrimmages, displaying his solid blend of athleticism, body control, and ball skills to full effect. The first-year pro was rewarded with two touchdowns — one from Jayden Daniels and another from Marcus Mariota. If Brooks keeps this up, he's got a fighting chance. More Commanders news and analysis
Cowboys' George Pickens takes shot at Steelers at start of training camp
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and team owner/president Art Rooney II previously said they wanted to see mercurial wide receiver George Pickens "grow up." Now with the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens seemed to take a shot at his former team while speaking with reporters at training camp on Tuesday. "Yeah, I'm definitely excited to run better plays, for sure," Pickens said, NFL.com's Kevin Patra shared. A 2022 second-round draft pick, Pickens developed a reputation for looking displeased over a lack of targets and for emotional outbursts during games over his first three seasons in the league. Pittsburgh traded the 24-year-old to Dallas in May after the Steelers reportedly grew "fed up with" the talented target who was allegedly guilty of a "litany of violations." Pickens was known for arriving late to practices while with the Steelers. He was also reportedly late for Pittsburgh's Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dallas' Dak Prescott should be the best quarterback Pickens has had as a pro. Additionally, Pickens has a needed mentor in No. 1 Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. "Oh yeah, for sure," Pickens responded when asked on Tuesday if he believes he and Lamb can be the NFL's top one-two punch at the position. "Just different type of styles of play. A lot of people over the years got different styles of play, but CeeDee's a certain type of guy, then I'm a certain type of guy. So, when you mesh that together, it's like 'Mario Bros.' We definitely can do something special." Pickens is in the final year of his rookie contract, and there's no indication he will receive an extension from the Cowboys before he shows what he'll be as a player and a person this season. Thus, he has millions of reasons to want to be on his best behavior and produce the best campaign of his career while sharing an offense with Prescott and Lamb. It remains to be seen if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer will succeed where Tomlin failed in getting the most out of Pickens, if even for one season.
Jaxson Dart Faces Harsh Comparisons Following Troubling Giants Training Camp Debut
Rival fans began drooling after Jaxson Dart’s horrible start at New York Giants training camp. They quickly compared Dart to Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen’s previous draft bust. All 32 teams officially kicked off their offseason training camp on Tuesday, July 23, including the Giants. Fans flocked to the East Rutherford facility to catch a glimpse of the rookies, especially Dart. They all wanted to find out the reason why Daboll and Schoen picked the Ole Miss graduate over Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Dart’s very first pass of 11-on-11 drills was an interception by third-year cornerback Nic Jones. Video footage showed Dart making a rookie mistake. Jones caught Dart staring at the receiver, which made it easier for him to figure out the play. The crowd let out a collective sigh as Jones ran to the end zone for a touchdown. Dart’s very first contribution in his first-ever training camp turned out to be a pick-6, which would surely dent his confidence. NFL fans compare Jaxson Dart to a Giants draft bust after his training camp mishap For the longest time, the Giants were the favorites to draft Shedeur. Deion Sanders gave his blessings, and the New York media were eager to cover the young quarterback who had set college football on fire with his passing and flamboyant personality. The status quo changed after the pre-draft visit. All of a sudden, the Giants were no longer interested in Sanders. Their focus had shifted to the dark horse of the draft, Jaxson Dart. This move by the Giants’ top management was a shocker for many as Sanders seemed to be a perfect fit in the Big Apple according to many. Schoen traded up in the first round to select Dart, while Sanders slipped to day three. Initially, it created a lot of ruckus. Anticipation grew after reports from the first and second phases of off-season camp were satisfactory. Unfortunately, that perspective must have taken a massive hit after Dart’s pick-6 on day one of the main training camp. Fans rarely chalk off such incidents as rookie mistakes. A wave of trolls filled X right after the footage went viral. Most compared Dart to the Giants’ previous starting quarterback, Daniel Jones. The former first-rounder agreed to terminate his $40 million per year contract after winning less than 50% of his games for the Giants. Jones threw 47 interceptions during six seasons in New York (averaging 7.2 INTs per year, with 15 during his rookie campaign being the worst of the lot). Brian Daboll passes verdict on Jaxson Dart It was clear from the start that Dart needed to polish his skills further. Fortunately, GM Schoen made the smart move of filling the quarterback room with a veteran presence. GM Schoen signed free agents Jameis Winston to a two-year deal and Russell Wilson for the 2025 season. Both players had significant game time last year. Wilson started for the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Winston deputized for injured Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. According to the Associated Press, Daboll is going to rely on experience over youth. After day one of the practice, he picked Wilson as his starter for the week one fixture of the 2025-26 NFL season. These guys will be out here competing, but Russ is our starter. Brian Daboll said Picking Wilson over the other two appears to be a sound choice. Even though his tenure in Pittsburgh ended with a string of losses, he is their best bet to win games. It’s a great opportunity for Dart to learn from a Super Bowl winner. If everything goes according to plan, then perhaps the Giants can finally turn their fortune around after several seasons of mediocrity.
LA Lakers receive immediate response from Timberwolves after enquiry over Donte DiVincenzo
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t slowing down in their bid to build a contender, making another move to strengthen the squad for a championship run next season. Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, is set to join a roster that now stands at 14 players. Smart links up with DeAndre Ayton, who is expected to take on the main role at centre. Both signings signal a shift towards adding experienced players who can fill key gaps in the lineup. Guard depth was clearly high on the agenda during free agency. Before landing Marcus Smart, the Lakers explored several backcourt options, some of whom ended up signing elsewhere or staying put. The team reportedly showed interest in Bradley Beal before he signed with the Clippers and also considered Malcolm Brogdon as they looked for guards who could impact both ends of the floor. Timberwolves quickly shut down Donte DiVincenzo approach NBA insider Brett Siegel shared that the Lakers reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves about Donte DiVincenzo, but Minnesota quickly shut down any possibility of a deal. “Los Angeles also reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves about Donte DiVincenzo’s availability, but the Wolves were not interested at all,” Siegel reported, underlining how firmly Minnesota values the guard. DiVincenzo offers what Los Angeles was looking for during their search. The defensive-minded guard provided secondary scoring while shooting efficiently from beyond the arc. His 2024 numbers included 11.7 points, 3.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on 39.7% shooting from deep. Questions remain around Marcus Smart’s shooting but defence remains elite Smart isn’t known for his offensive output, but he did post a 39.2% three-point rate in Washington last season. The Lakers are hoping he can keep that up, especially when Luka Doncic is off the floor. Defence has always been Smart’s strong suit, and that hasn’t changed. His perimeter play is still a real strength, and it’s what the Lakers will lean on most. The Celtics connection gives him a veteran presence this group could use. The Lakers were short on dependable playoff options last year, and Smart should help steady things. Salary cap leaves Lakers short on additional moves The Lakers are just over $1 million from the first-apron tax threshold, limiting their ability to add another high-profile player. Smart’s arrival is likely the last major move unless the team makes additional changes to free up cap space. The 14-man roster, anchored by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, offer plenty of depth and flexibility. Still, whether that translates into a championship run will depend on how well the group stays healthy and builds chemistry. Both Smart and Ayton come with questions attached. The team’s success may ultimately hinge on how those gambles pay off.
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