Chris Godwin has quickly become one of the main discussion topics ahead of the Bucs’ big Sunday showdown against the Falcons in Atlanta. In what has lined up to be a high-stakes game, involving Godwin in the game plan has become even more paramount after Godwin’s wife called out the team’s head coach on social media on Wednesday.

Frustration about his usage has been high, and on Thursday, both he and offensive coordinator Dave Canales talked about the situation and how to get him going.

Dave Canales Discusses Chris Godwin’s Recent Lack Of Production

On Thursday, Dave Canales commented on Chris Godwin’s lack of results on offense in recent weeks. Last Sunday against the Panthers, Godwin was held without a catch on three targets, and over the past four games he has contributed very little to the offense’s success, especially when pitting his production against Mike Evans.

For Canales, he was reminded of his other star wide receiver’s abilities when he ran in a 19-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the team’s 21-18 win.

“What a huge reminder for me, right?” Canales said. “The guy is just magic with the ball, and so I have to do a better job. I come up here and say it every week, and I’m not satisfied with how we’re using Chris in our offense. He’s a huge part of what we do, and just speaking to that point, a lot of the ways we get the ball quick in touches has been going to Trey [Palmer] and DT [Deven Thompkins].

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Dave Canales – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Some of those things that are designed to them, Chris has been averaging about ten yards when we get him the ball behind the line of scrimmage on things that he has done well in the past. I got to be more aware of spreading those types of touches out because he does have such a knack with the ball after the catch.”

Both Dave Canales and Chris Godwin recently had a one-on-one conversation where they shared how there has been frustration about getting him the ball. Even with Godwin not being as productive as expected, he still has had a role on the offense. His 53 receptions for 606 yards speaks to the share of targets he still receives. But Canales wants to unearth the great player he knows is still there.

“Well he and I had a great conversation,” Canales added. “I’d like to keep most of that between us but I think the one thing that I can share is that we share equal frustration with this thing. By no means has he not been productive. The last game was – I got to do a way better job being able to get him involved in a game like that with the matchups we had.

“He’s still getting targets, he’s still in the 50s in receptions and he’s a big part of what we do. If you compare that across the league for other No. 2 receivers, he’s still a big part of what we do. I just would love to see more because I know there’s that great player that all of you have seen firsthand and I want to make that come to life for us to just help us on what our goal is – to win this division and to set ourselves up long-term.”

Dave Canales Comments On Chris Godwin’s Usage Last Week

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

A big part of Mariah Godwin’s recent claims stems from the fact that head coach Todd Bowles provided an inaccurate assessment of why Chris Godwin was held without a catch. Dave Canales addressed that elephant in the room as well on Thursday.

“Just the numbers show like 82% of the snaps, that’s a full load,” Canales said. “I think we had reinforcements ready because he was on the injury report just working through some things throughout the week. We had David Moore and Ryan Miller prepared and ready to go just to see what happened, but to Chris’ credit, he just prepared his body and mind right.

“He stayed focused and engaged throughout the practices as we were working through some of those things. Then he’s just a stud on game day and battled through it and still — he had the one opportunity to make a play and he did. Knowing that I can trust that throughout the season he’ll work through things and still be available for us in a big way as we need him.”

Chris Godwin Chimes In On His Wife’s IG Story About Todd Bowles

Not only did Dave Canales address the media on Thursday, but Chris Godwin did as well. When asked about his wife’s social media posts, he defended the root of where her statements came from.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

“Mariah, that’s my best friend,” Godwin said. We’ve been together for…what year is it? 2023? For 11 years now. And she’s been my biggest supporter through the whole thing. And I think like, I know she’s always going to support me, she’s always going to have my back. So naturally, there are some frustrations when things don’t necessarily go how would you expect. I think her intent of proving was simply like – it wasn’t a play count thing, that wasn’t the reason why things didn’t play out how we had hoped.

“Just making sure that people understand that I work my ass off, which I do. I work my ass off to make sure I’m ready to play, to make sure I’m able to give my best for my teammates and I’m not a liability or anything. That came from a place of love. I’ll always love her. That’s my girl. I’m always going to have her back the same as she has mine.”

Godwin also spoke on his one-on-one conversation with Canales and if he feels better about things now:

The Start Of A Turnaround For Chris Godwin Can Begin On Sunday

It is no secret that Chris Godwin has had the most success in his NFL career when facing the division-rival Falcons. As Pewter Report’s Bailey Adams alluded to earlier in the season in his familiar foes article and what Fox Sports’ Greg Auman recently discussed on X, if there is any game for Godwin to get on track, it is this Sunday in Atlanta.

It remains to be seen if the offense can find another gear, but involving Chris Godwin more is the next step forward. Based on what was shared Thursday, Dave Canales still clearly trusts his wide receiver’s ability to impact games. That impact can only happen with honest conversations and then by turning words into action over the team’s final five regular season games.