Chris Godwin predicted this and came true on Tuesday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers are putting the franchise tag on the receiver, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported.
Godwin will stay in Tampa with defending Super Bowl champion Bucs in a move that made the most sense in trying to keep the team’s main targets intact for quarterback Tom Brady. Tampa may still reach a long-term agreement with Godwin, who may end up being overwhelmed to remove some financial pressure from the team’s immediate situation, but etiquette guarantees that Godwin will not land elsewhere in 2021.
As he said last month, Godwin is fine with that result, because winning makes him happy – and a projected tag number of $ 15.808 million doesn’t hurt either.
“I’m not going to put myself in a situation where I’m going to be miserable for a few years just for a few extra dollars,” said Godwin. “I think my happiness is fundamental in all of this and part of that happiness is winning.”
Godwin picked up 65 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season playing with Brady, serving as an excellent number 2 target alongside Mike Evans. After dragging himself through unsuccessful campaigns in the past, Godwin maximized his first legitimate post-season experience, picking up 16 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers’ four playoff games, including a five-foot and 110-yard performance at the turn of Tampa at the Green Bay Packers in the NFC title game.
He will have his wish fulfilled and will still be able to make money in the long run, but Godwin, who was sixth on the NFL.com 101 best free agents list, will not be without happiness in 2021 now that he knows he will stay with the Bucs . The next step for Tampa: find out how to keep Shaquil Barrett, the recipient of the team’s 2020 label.