Why Buccaneers expect 'a whole different' Chris Godwin for Seahawks game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin made his 2025 regular-season debut in the club's 31-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that dropped Tampa Bay to 3-1 this past Sunday. 

During the latest edition of his show that airs on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles indicated Godwin will only get stronger through the fall. 

Chris Godwin still getting stronger after season debut

"The more he plays, the better you’re gonna see him look, and we expect to see a whole different Chris next week," Bowles said about Tampa Bay's matchup at the 3-1 Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday, per the JoeBucsFan website.  

Godwin hadn't played in a meaningful game since he suffered a dislocated left ankle, high ankle sprain, fractured fibula and torn deltoid in October 2024. Nevertheless, there was some hope last week that the 29-year-old would have a significant role against the Eagles with Tampa Bay No. 1 receiver Mike Evans sidelined due to a hamstring issue. 

In total, Godwin recorded three receptions on 10 targets for 26 yards versus Philadelphia.

Can Chris Godwin be "a terror" for Buccaneers offense this fall? 

"Just having him out there, seeing No. 14 out there is unbelievable," Bowles added. "I mean, the things he did to get back, the work he’s put in, the person he is, the toughness that he shows and how smart he is as a player and makes us 10 times better — you can’t wait till he gets his feet underneath him and he really starts helping us because he is gonna be a terror."

ESPN stats show that rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka leads the Buccaneers for the season with 31 targets, 282 receiving yards and four touchdown grabs. He's second on the team with 18 receptions.

Meanwhile, Evans is expected to miss at least one more game. Thus, fans will have to wait a little longer to see him, Godwin and Egbuka on the field at the same time. 

As of Wednesday morning, ESPN BET had the Buccaneers as 3.5-point road underdogs against the Seahawks. Tampa Bay will look to enter that contest with more energy after the club allegedly "wasn’t locked in" for the first half of the Philadelphia game.