There have been instances the place it by no means felt like Bucs vast receiver Chris Godwin Jr. actually acquired out of the gates final season. A ugly ankle damage suffered the yr earlier than pressured all of Godwin’s offseason to be about restoration and enchancment. And since it was an extended course of Godwin missed the primary three video games of the season, coming again in Week 4.
However even then issues didn’t precisely go proper. He was solely in a position to play two video games in a row earlier than a fibula damage stored him out once more. It was a really odd damage as a result of the therapeutic course of for a fibula damage wasn’t precisely as definitive as different accidents. Godwin was by no means placed on injured reserve, simply listed as out on each sport day damage report.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Clearly, it wasn’t a straightforward damage to get well from as his subsequent return got here in Week 12 towards the Rams, which couldn’t have been a worse sport to come back again to because the Bucs have been smashed, 34-7, on Sunday Night time Soccer. This additionally was proper in the midst of the Buccaneers’ tailspin because it was the staff’s third loss in a row. Whereas the staff received the following week towards Arizona, Tampa Bay then proceeded to lose one other 4 in a row earlier than a season finale win over Carolina – but that couldn’t salvage their playoff hopes.
So, between two tough accidents to beat and a staff struggling within the second half of the season, it by no means actually lined up properly for Godwin. The silver lining is that the penultimate sport of the season noticed Godwin document 108 yards within the loss at Miami – the primary time he did so all season – whereas making seven catches and scoring a landing, his second of the yr.
Chris Godwin Jr. Is Wanting At Age As Simply A Quantity
In a method, this additionally set the wheels in movement for what everybody hopes Chris Godwin Jr. turns into this season – his outdated self. Godwin goes into his tenth yr within the NFL – all with the Buccaneers. He turned 30 in February and has his youthful receiver teammates have began calling him “Unc.” However outdated is way from how he’s feeling lately, particularly through the offseason program the place he’s engaged on his craft reasonably than rehabbing this spring.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos – Sam Navarro
“I’m 30 years old but I feel like I’m in my 20’s,” Godwin stated after OTA follow on Tuesday. “I think people, they gas it up a little bit. The way I look at it is it’s a blessing to get older. I don’t like the alternative.”
There are some legit causes to guess towards Godwin given his age and damage historical past. However one facet of historical past that favors Godwin is his skill to get well from earlier accidents. The primary massive damage of his profession occurred within the 2021 season when he tore his ACL. He recovered sufficient for the 2022 season to publish 104 receptions for 1,023 yards.
That was good, however the subsequent season – with a full offseason coaching program – was even higher in 2023. Godwin jumped up from 9.8 yards per reception to 12.3 yards per reception whereas recording 1,024 yards on 83 catches. He was that a lot better regardless of even fewer targets going his method.
Plus, Godwin was dominating in 2024 up till his season ending ankle damage in Week 7. He was properly on tempo to succeed in 1,000 yards once more as he was at 576 receiving yards on 50 catches with 5 touchdowns in simply seven video games. Think about what Godwin may have produced if he performed within the closing 10 video games.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucs Chris Godwin Jr. Will get To Prepare For Efficiency, Not For Restoration
By connecting the dots of Chris Godwin Jr. knocking the rust off in 2025 with a full restoration, he could possibly be due for an additional nice season in 2026 given the chance to completely practice how he desires to going into the season. That’s why Godwin was emphatic when requested if he’s feeling like his outdated self once more.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Absolutely,” Godwin stated. “It’s a blessing to be back out here. Anytime you have the ability to train for performance and not for recovery, it’s a huge difference. I also just enjoy being out here with my guys. I found myself kind of like the Squidward meme – just looking at my friends playing on the outside. I’m just like ‘I can’t wait to be out there.’ And now being out here it’s a lot more fun, so I’m grateful for it.”
#Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. calls it a blessing to be again out right here working towards and coaching for efficiency and never for restoration. He additionally simply actually enjoys being out right here with the fellows. pic.twitter.com/G3xOnNsUcC
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles additionally acknowledged the advantage of what Godwin brings in a full offseason program. The smarts have been already there, and the operating is coming into form.
“It’s important that he’s been healthy,” Bowles stated. “Obviously his knowledge of the game helps the younger guys but his route running is sharp, he looks smooth running his routes and he understands the offense very well. We know the playmaker he’s going to be for us.”
Bucs WRs Ted Hurst, Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Godwin is required now greater than ever because the vast receiver room enters a brand new period with out Mike Evans. A classic Godwin efficiency this season can actually assist get the Tampa Bay offense again to being a prime 5 unit prefer it was in 2024, which was the final time the Buccaneers had a profitable season, made the playoffs and received the NFC South.
