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This is the second time in the career of Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin where he has signed a new contract with the Bucs coming off a season where it was cut short due to injury. This time around it was a dislocated ankle that ended his year abruptly in the waning moments of a Week 7 loss to Baltimore on Monday Night Football, 41-31.
So as exciting as it is to have Godwin return to the Bucs once again with a three-year contract extension, we also have to keep an eye on how he’ll progress throughout the offseason. Will we see Godwin during OTAs, mini-camp or even training camp?
And perhaps most importantly, will he be ready by Week 1?
Chris Godwin Is Mum On Rehab Details
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
As he usually is when it comes to this subject, Chris Godwin was relatively tight-lipped about his rehab progress.
“To be honest, I like to keep a lot of those things to the vest,” Godwin said. “I’m right where I need to be and I’m excited about that. In the beginning of the process, you spend a lot on your back and so the fact that I’m here standing up – that’s a blessing for me. I love all those little victories and I’m just excited about this opportunity.”
Godwin has been big on not putting out target dates for coming back from injury, whether it was his torn ACL during the 2021 season or his dislocated ankle in 2024. He feels there’s not a reason to put extra pressure on himself or the process with a specific date that has no ramification on if it’s met or not.
The progress of getting better each day is what he truly wants as he prepares for the upcoming 2025 season.
Bucs GM Jason Licht Provides More Of An Update
Thankfully, Bucs general manager Jason Licht had more of an update this week about the newly re-signed wide receiver. Making an appearance on The Drive With TKras on Tampa’s own 95.3 WDAE, he gave host Tom Krasniqi a little more insight on what he’s seen from Chris Godwin in his rehab.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin and GM Jason Licht, photo by: Cliff Welch P/R
“I’m feeling very good about it,” Licht said. “He’s hitting all of his milestones. He’s hitting all of his markers. He’s where he’s supposed to be. We’re not going to try to set any records for the fastest rehab because we want to make sure everything’s done right and just get him out there for the regular season. Right now, we’re taking it week by week. I’ve said this time and time before, but I would never bet against Chris.”
It would wise of Licht not to bet against Godwin. While it took him a little bit of time to get going after he came back from the ACL injury in 2022, we eventually learned that Godwin was able to get back to the prolific player that he is in the seasons to come. Godwin missed the entire 2022 offseason and most of training camp, but was able to play in the season opener that year at Dallas and wound up posting a 1,000-yard season.
The Bucs are hoping for that some type of return for Godwin in 2025.
What will be important is to make sure when Godwin comes back that he is truly ready. The Bucs offense is in a way better spot now than it was in 2022. Tampa Bay can rely on a great running game and also has better depth at wide receiver behind Mike Evans and Godwin with the emergence of Jalen McMillan, who scored eight touchdowns during his rookie season.
This gives Chris Godwin more time to go at his own pace while the team can still play at a high level. They’ll only be that much better when he’s back in the lineup. And based on what Licht had to say, it seems like we’ll see Chris Godwin playing and practicing with his Bucs teammates sooner rather than later. Hopefully that occurs by – or during – training camp.
You can listen to the full interview that Tom Krasniqi, also known as TKras, had with Licht by clicking on this link.
