Chris Godwin Bets on Tampa Bay Buccaneers Over Bigger Payday

Remember last season’s commercial for NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV, in which realistic interpretations of mascots crowd around an Atlanta Falcons fan’s television to watch games?

A lowercase “b” Buccaneer turns on the set itself, totally playing against type. Surely, a true pirate would have thrashed or plundered the TV, right?

We call that “poetic license” — much like Tampa Bay Buccaneers backers should consider wide receiver Chris Godwin’s return to the team simply “poetic.”

Reportedly offered boatloads more money for his services by the New England Patriots, Godwin essentially eschewed free agency to remain with the only franchise he has known.

Loyalty, ahoy. It’s more refreshing than a TV spot that doesn’t feel stale after four viewings.

To be clear, re-signing with Tampa Bay for three years and $66 million — as Godwin did — isn’t exactly settling for chump change. Sure, it might seem like the proverbial hometown discount in the context of not cashing in with New England, but the deal aligns with the market in the early stages of league free agency.

Davante Adams signed with the Los Angeles Rams for two years and $44 million — the same average annual value as Godwin, who at 29 is three years younger than Adams.

Although a season-ending ankle injury limited Godwin to 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns in seven games in 2024, the Patriots still offered $20 million more than Tampa Bay, per reports.

Faced with the prospect of greener pastures, Godwin opted to stick around the land of Buccaneer red and pewter he knows well. It’s also comfortable for Godwin’s wife and high school sweetheart, Mariah, as the couple raises a young son, Ace, born in January.

“While it was a very tough decision — these are life-changing numbers that we’re talking about — at the end of the day I had to lean on my gut and my intuition to guide me because that’s what I’ve always done to ultimately make the right decision for me and my family,” Godwin said.

Godwin admitted that “I feel like we were really close” to leaving the Bucs, but the “uncertainty” swirling about departing his professional home of eight seasons continued to create uneasiness.

For Godwin, little, if any, angst originated from his other half.

“She is very similarly minded to me,” Godwin said. “When she met me, I didn’t have much of anything. Clearly, that’s not the reason she was with me. When it came down to a decision, she’s not like, ‘Oh, you need to do this because it’s more money for us.’ We hardly spend money on anything anyway. What are we going to do?

“For us, it’s better to be in a situation that we enjoy, to be around people and friends we enjoy. Our quality of life is paramount.”

With Godwin back in the fold, the Bucs’ on-field exploits also figure to be worth celebrating. The team has earned four straight NFC South titles and returns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has enjoyed a career resurgence in Tampa Bay, alongside marquee wideout Mike Evans.

Among receiving tandems, Evans and Godwin rank fifth and sixth all time, respectively, for receiving yards and touchdowns.

“People always give us credit for betting on Chris during his injuries,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said, “but he and Mariah bet on us.”

Sure as football fans will turn on TVs in droves this fall, extending Godwin puts Tampa Bay in prime position.