TAMPA, Fla. — Chris Godwin has made a significant impact as a wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, showcasing resilience and growth nearly three years after suffering a serious knee injury. Though he may not have physically left the field, his performance seems to have reached new heights.
As of Sunday, Godwin has been a standout in the NFL, boasting the highest number of receptions at 43, coming in third for receiving yards with 511, and sharing the lead for touchdown catches with five, alongside notable players like Mike Evans, Ja’Marr Chase, and George Kittle. The Buccaneers, sporting a record of 4-2, are fresh off an impressive victory where they scored 51 points against New Orleans, with Godwin contributing significantly to the win with 11 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. A key matchup lies ahead as they prepare to host the Baltimore Ravens, who also hold a record of 4-2, on Monday night.
Godwin’s exceptional start to the season follows a challenging offseason, during which he coped with the loss of his father while simultaneously transitioning back to playing as a slot receiver—a position he thrived in earlier in his career. This adjustment has not only revitalized his game but has also reinforced the Buccaneers’ running attack, which benefits greatly from Godwin’s skills in blocking.
Reflecting on his transition, Godwin expressed, “What I learned over the last four or five years, I’m really comfortable there. It allows me to be involved in different ways instead of just catching the ball.” Drafted in the third round in 2017, Godwin has secured four seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, although his accomplishments often go unnoticed due to the incredible consistency of Evans, who has the unique distinction of starting his career with ten consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Godwin was agravated by a knee injury late in December 2021 while on the brink of achieving 100 receptions in a season, concluding the year with 98 catches for 1,103 yards. Despite recovering sufficiently to amass 104 receptions in 2022 and maintain a streak of over 1,000 yards the past two seasons, this year marks the first time since his injury that he feels completely back to form.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles lauded Godwin, noting his contributions not just in the passing game but also in the rushing attack, highlighting the team’s record-breaking rushing performance of 277 yards against New Orleans. Godwin demonstrated his athletic prowess on one of his touchdowns against the Saints, taking a short pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield, slipping through two tackles, and sprinting for a 55-yard touchdown.
With an impressive 335 yards gained after the catch so far this season—105 of which came from the game against New Orleans—Godwin has reasserted his role as a versatile playmaker. “He’s healthy, competitive, and enjoying himself on the field, running, receiving, and blocking,” Bowles remarked. “You’re witnessing the best version of Chris Godwin right now.”
The Ravens, who have rallied to win four consecutive games after starting 0-2, boast the league’s top run defense but struggle against the pass—ranking 31st in the NFL. Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the challenge posed by both Godwin and Evans, designating them as “tremendous matchup problems.” He noted, “If you single (Evans) up, he’s a problem. And then you have (Godwin) in the slot—if you single him up, he’s a problem.”
In harmony with Godwin’s resurgence is the Buccaneers’ strong offensive performance under first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s direction, averaging 29.7 points per game and ranking in the top ten for offense. The diversification of their offensive strategy has been crucial, with rookie Bucky Irving stepping up as the team’s leading rusher, and Sean Tucker expected to see more action following his impressive performance last week.
Godwin emphasized the importance of distributing the ball effectively: “When a guy is going off because you feed the hot hand, it’s one thing. But if we spread the ball around, everyone gets involved.” This approach enables the team to stay dynamic and adaptable against opposing defenses, ensuring they remain unpredictable as the game evolves.
Through all of this, Godwin remains an indispensable asset for the Buccaneers. As Mayfield praised him, he acknowledged Godwin’s reliability, complete understanding of defensive strategies, and unwavering drive for victory. “He feels good and is playing really well, and we need to keep him going,” Mayfield remarked, underscoring Godwin’s critical role in the offensive scheme.