Joe always hopes that the NFL’s good guys be rewarded. since they are decent men.
And Chris Godwin, a real class act, is among the best. When he was hurt last year against the Crows, it was terrible. The fact that it looks like Godwin probably lost millions of dollars due to the injury made it even worse.
In just one week, on March 12, Godwin might become a free agent. It was unsettling to Joe to be surrounded by Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht, who both love AC/DC.
Godwin should ideally be out of commission by next week, but the Bucs appear alarmed by that injury. Regardless of how much they admire and respect Godwin, they don’t want to spend a lot of Team Glazer loot on a damaged goods guy.
Joe is fully aware of that.
At the combine, Joe had an off-the-record conversation with an NFL lawyer who predicted that Godwin would be signed for a significant sum less than what the Fourth Estate has predicted.
Joe has witnessed national NFL stenographers throw out at least $20 million annually. That won’t happen, Joe was informed. Godwin’s age of 29 and two serious injuries during the previous four seasons are to blame.
Matt Lombardo, a former beat man for the Giants and Eagles, appears to support Joe’s source. According to information obtained by Lombardo from an unidentified agency, Godwin won’t sign for even $15 million, let alone $20 million.
Even though Licht loves and values Godwin, a second agent says Godwin might be in line for a deal similar to DeAndre Hopkins’ two-year contract worth $26 million. The Buccaneers, who have limited cap space and some young receivers behind Mike Evans, might find that to be too rich.
$13 million year, then? The difference between it and $20 million is significant. If Godwin signs a two-year contract, the injury cost him about $14 million. Aww!
According to a different agent Lombardo talked with, Godwin would sign a prove-it contract—possibly not with the Bucs—to show that his ankle is healthy and that he is still capable of playing elite, injury-free football.