The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a big decision regarding veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is entering the final year of his contract with a hefty $27.5 million cap hit.
As the team navigates financial considerations, the emergence of promising rookie Jalen McMillan, drafted in the third round, is adding a new dynamic to the situation.
McMillan, who led the Washington Huskies in receptions and scored nine touchdowns in 2022, is set to prove his worth during training camp, aiming to secure a significant role in the offense alongside established stars like Mike Evans and Godwin.
CONSISTENT: #Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin has three straight seasons of 125+ targets and 1,000+ yards.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 10, 2024
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Tampa has two of the most reliable receivers in the league in Godwin and Mike Evans. pic.twitter.com/2hLd1BhGUw
Godwin, who saw a dip in production last season with his reception count dropping to 83 and his success rate declining from 60.6% to 50.0%, as noted by Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine, remains a valuable asset but also presents a substantial financial burden.
With an $18.9 million void year already on the books for 2025, the Buccaneers must weigh the benefits of retaining Godwin against the potential cap relief and future assets a trade could provide.
If McMillan impresses during training camp and the preseason, showcasing his ability to step into a prominent role, the Buccaneers might consider trading Godwin to manage their salary cap more effectively, according to Ballentine.
#Bucs HC Todd Bowles on Jalen McMillan:
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 11, 2024
“He had a lot of versatility in college. He played slot, he played Z, he played X, so he’s a very intelligent player, so that gives us some advantages.”
This is very bullish for McMillan. Bowles classifies non-Evans/Godwin receivers as… pic.twitter.com/hrVMrnwDaT
McMillan's performance in camp could be pivotal in determining Godwin's future with the team. If the rookie receiver demonstrates he can fill Godwin's shoes, both in the slot and on the outside, the Buccaneers would have the flexibility to explore trade options for Godwin.
This scenario would allow Tampa Bay to build around a younger, cost-effective receiver in McMillan, potentially transforming their receiving corps while gaining valuable draft capital or other assets.
Over his seven-year career, spent entirely with Tampa Bay, the 28-year-old Godwin has amassed 529 receptions, 6,690 yards and 34 touchdowns across 104 games played.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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