Is Chris Godwin A Free Agent? Which Teams Would Be The Best Fit? Fantasy Football Outlook

The NFL offseason is underway. We have already seen a few players on the move. Geno Smith and Deebo Samuel Sr. will be playing for new teams in 2025. With NFL free agency beginning this week, there are sure to be more moves coming.

One such player is Chris Godwin. He is slated to test the open market after his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expired. The legal tampering period opens on Monday at noon EDT, so we may not have to wait long to find out where Godwin will be playing this season.

What value does Chris Godwin provide? Which NFL teams would be the best fit for Chris Godwin? Let's take a few minutes and discuss several possible landing spots for the veteran receiver.

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Update: Godwin has signed a three-year, $66 million contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Is Chris Godwin A Free Agent?

Yes, Godwin is an impending free agent. Tampa Bay could have used the franchise tag on him but chose not to do so.  The Buccaneers have already tagged Godwin twice. Doing so a third time meant Godwin would get a massive raise.

Tomorrow at 4 p.m. is the NFL’s deadline for the franchise/transition tag. I’ve reported this previously, but the Bucs will NOT be using it on Chris Godwin as it would be his third time being tagged and it would result in a 144% raise.

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 3, 2025

That means he's free to negotiate with teams once the legal tampering period begins. With Tee Higgins receiving the franchise tag, that makes Godwin the top receiver available in free agency. He put up a 50-576-5 line in seven games before an unfortunate ankle injury ended his season. It was a gruesome injury, but it doesn't seem to have affected his market as there are multiple teams reportedly interested in his services.

Chris Godwin with the catch and the stretch for the TD!

📺: #WASvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/RKSftFVMxh

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Which Teams Would Be The Best Fit For Chris Godwin?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have supposedly been trying to re-sign Godwin for the last few months but have been unable to reach an agreement. There appears to be some hesitation about bringing him back after such a brutal injury. Godwin has spent his entire career with Tampa Bay and loves the area, but it sounds like his price tag is getting too expensive for the Buccaneers.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Godwin has familiarity with new Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen. Coen was the offensive coordinator for Tampa Bay last year when Godwin was on pace to have a monster season. The Jaguars just cut Christian Kirk and Evan Engram in cap-saving moves and now have the eighth-most cap space available. They could make a run at Godwin to pair him with Brian Thomas Jr.

New England Patriots

New England has the most cap space in the league and is in desperate need of a WR1 for Drake Maye. Godwin doesn't really profile as a true WR1, but he would far and away be the top pass-catcher on New England. This a realistic landing spot as the Patriots are in position to offer Godwin a ton of money.

Carolina Panthers

Here is another team whose head coach has a history with Godwin. Dave Canales was the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator in 2023. Carolina needs another playmaker for Bryce Young. However, they only have about $27 million in cap space available. So while the team has a clear need at receiver, it's uncertain they can afford Godwin.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers are reportedly in the market for a wide receiver this offseason. It appears Matt LaFleur is rethinking his wide receiver by committee approach after Green Bay's receiving core largely disappointed in 2024. The Packers need a traditional X receiver, and Godwin doesn't profile as such. So this may not be the best match for both sides.

Denver Broncos

Denver coach Sean Payton has stated multiple times since the 2024 season ended that the team desperately needs a "joker" on offense. This could be a running back, tight end, or wide receiver. It just has to be someone who can create mismatches on offense.

While the team had success with rookie signal-call Bo Nix, the offense needs more playmakers. Denver is reportedly set to make an aggressive play to land Godwin in free agency. However, they only have the 19th-most cap space available this offseason, and signing Godwin could be tricky.

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