Godwin leaves money on table to re-sign with Bucs: 'Staying true to who I am'

Veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin addressed his decision to re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week instead of potentially accepting a bigger offer elsewhere.

"It boils down to family and staying true to who I am," Godwin explained, according to team writer Scott Smith.

"Nine out of 10 people probably wouldn't have made the decision I did," he added, according to River Wells of BucsGameday.

Godwin was arguably the top free-agent receiver this offseason, but the Bucs kept him off the market by giving him a reported three-year deal worth $66 million with $45 million guaranteed. Rumors indicated the veteran wideout had bigger offers from other teams, including one from the New England Patriots worth almost $30 million per season, according to ESPN's Bill Barnwell.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht admitted star players don't usually walk away from more lucrative contracts.

"That's pretty rare. But Chris is a rare person," Licht said, per Wells.

With Godwin returning, Tampa Bay is projected to enter the 2025 season with all their key offensive starters from last year. The core of Godwin, Mike Evans, and Baker Mayfield helped the Bucs win the NFC South for a fourth straight season in 2024.

"We're going to be a hell of an offense," Godwin said, according to Fox Sports' Greg Auman.

The Buccaneers' offensive unit is also welcoming new coordinator Josh Grizzard after Liam Coen left to become the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach.

Godwin - a four-time 1,000-yard receiver - posted 50 catches, 576 yards, and five touchdowns in 2024 before an ankle injury ended his season after seven games.