There were times where it never felt like Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. truly got out of the gates last season. A gruesome ankle injury suffered the year before forced all of Godwin’s offseason to be about recovery and improvement. And because it was a longer process Godwin missed the first three games of the season, coming back in Week 4.

But even then things didn’t exactly go right. He was only able to play two games in a row before a fibula injury kept him out again. It was a very odd injury because the healing process for a fibula injury wasn’t exactly as definitive as other injuries. Godwin was never put on injured reserve, just listed as out on every game day injury report.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Clearly, it wasn’t an easy injury to recover from as his next return came in Week 12 against the Rams, which could not have been a worse game to come back to as the Bucs were smashed, 34-7, on Sunday Night Football. This also was right in the middle of the Buccaneers’ tailspin as it was the team’s third loss in a row. While the team won the next week against Arizona, Tampa Bay then proceeded to lose another four in a row before a season finale win over Carolina – yet that couldn’t salvage their playoff hopes.

So, between two difficult injuries to overcome and a team struggling in the second half of the season, it never really lined up well for Godwin. The silver lining is that the penultimate game of the season saw Godwin record 108 yards in the loss at Miami – the first time he did so all season – while making seven catches and scoring a touchdown, his second of the year.

Chris Godwin Jr. Is Looking At Age As Just A Number

In a way, this also set the wheels in motion for what everyone hopes Chris Godwin Jr. becomes this season – his old self. Godwin is going into his 10th year in the NFL – all with the Buccaneers. He turned 30 in February and has his younger receiver teammates have started calling him “Unc.” But old is far from how he’s feeling these days, especially during the offseason program where he’s working on his craft rather than rehabbing this spring.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Sam Navarro

“I’m 30 years old but I feel like I’m in my 20’s,” Godwin said after OTA practice on Tuesday. “I think people, they gas it up a little bit. The way I look at it is it’s a blessing to get older. I don’t like the alternative.”

There are some legit reasons to bet against Godwin given his age and injury history. But one side of history that favors Godwin is his ability to recover from previous injuries. The first big injury of his career happened in the 2021 season when he tore his ACL. He recovered enough for the 2022 season to post 104 receptions for 1,023 yards.

That was good, but the next season – with a full offseason training program – was even better in 2023. Godwin jumped up from 9.8 yards per reception to 12.3 yards per reception while recording 1,024 yards on 83 catches. He was that much better despite even fewer targets going his way.

Plus, Godwin was dominating in 2024 up until his season ending ankle injury in Week 7. He was well on pace to reach 1,000 yards again as he was at 576 receiving yards on 50 catches with five touchdowns in just seven games. Imagine what Godwin could have produced if he played in the final 10 games.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs Chris Godwin Jr. Gets To Train For Performance, Not For Recovery

By connecting the dots of Chris Godwin Jr. knocking the rust off in 2025 with a full recovery, he could be due for another great season in 2026 given the opportunity to fully train how he wants to going into the season. That’s why Godwin was emphatic when asked if he’s feeling like his old self again.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Absolutely,” Godwin said. “It’s a blessing to be back out here. Anytime you have the ability to train for performance and not for recovery, it’s a huge difference. I also just enjoy being out here with my guys. I found myself kind of like the Squidward meme – just looking at my friends playing on the outside. I’m just like ‘I can’t wait to be out there.’ And now being out here it’s a lot more fun, so I’m grateful for it.”

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles also acknowledged the benefit of what Godwin brings in a full offseason program. The smarts were already there, and the running is coming into shape.

“It’s important that he’s been healthy,” Bowles said. “Obviously his knowledge of the game helps the younger guys but his route running is sharp, he looks smooth running his routes and he understands the offense very well. We know the playmaker he’s going to be for us.”

Bucs WRs Ted Hurst, Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Godwin is needed now more than ever as the wide receiver room enters a new era without Mike Evans. A vintage Godwin performance this season can really help get the Tampa Bay offense back to being a top 5 unit like it was in 2024, which was the last time the Buccaneers had a winning season, made the playoffs and won the NFC South.