The Bucs suffered their first loss of the season Sunday afternoon, falling 31-25 to the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium.

But there was some triumph even in defeat, and that's because two team legends — and two big keys to the success of this year's squad — returned to the field and made their 2025 season debuts.

Chris Godwin Jr., a four-time 1,000-yard receiver and the second-leading receiver in franchise history, played in a game for the first time since Week 7 of last season. Meanwhile, two-time All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs played his first game since the Bucs' playoff loss to the Commanders back in January — 8 1/2 months ago.

Following the game, both future Bucs Ring of Honor members shared their thoughts on running out of the home tunnel at Raymond James Stadium for the first time this season.

Chris Godwin Jr.'s Return "A Very Emotional Moment"

It was a long journey back for Chris Godwin Jr., as he dislocated his ankle in the waning moments of the Bucs' Week 7 loss to the Ravens on Oct. 21 of last year. He re-signed with Tampa Bay this offseason, turning down significantly more money elsewhere to do so, and rehabbed all offseason and avoided starting the season on injured reserve. That made this Week 4 return possible.

Early Sunday morning, The Players' Tribune published Godwin's account of his decision to re-sign with the Bucs, his road back from the injury, missing his late father and becoming a new father, himself. It was an incredibly moving read, and it set the background for what was an emotional Sunday afternoon that saw No. 14 return to action on the same field he was carted off of some 342 days ago.

Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. Photo by: USA Today

Godwin, wearing "Godwin Jr." on his back for the very first time to honor his father, a decision he made this offseason, was met with a huge ovation when his name was mentioned for the first time over the PA system. That was something he talked about after the game.

"It's truly special. Obviously, my dad meant a ton to me, and I still miss him every day," Godwin said. "Just to be able to have the opportunity to represent him and to represent my family name, it's so special to me. It's something that I don't take for granted. To hear Godwin Jr. over the PA… and even 'The Manster' which, growing up, I got accustomed to my dad saying, it almost brought a tear to my eye."

Godwin did admit that there were some mixed emotions on the day, as his return didn't go as he would've liked with three catches on 10 targets for 26 yards. But there was still a lot of gratitude for the fact that he was able to be out there with the rest of his Bucs teammates.

"Honestly, it was mixed emotions. I'm extremely grateful to be out there," Godwin said. "Very emotional moment for me — it's been a long journey. I'm extremely grateful to be back on the field, to get back out there with my teammates and just have the opportunity to play the game again — I'm so fortunate to do that.

"Then, just having some uncharacteristic plays and expecting myself to play better. But you know, you've got to knock the rust off and I'm excited about the opportunity to learn from the mistakes that I made and to fix them."

Despite those mistakes, it was a big day for Godwin, who said he thought a lot about his loved ones and those who have supported him on his road to recovery.

"A ton of emotions that were running through my head, most of them were just gratitude," he said. "Going through the tunnel, I got to see Mariah and Ace, and that hit me very differently. It's a surreal moment. The city of Tampa, the fans, the organization — they have been behind me this whole way as well, so to come out and to have that show of support, it meant the world to me."

Tristan Wirfs Happy To Go Back Into Battle With Bucs Teammates

It's no secret that Tristan Wirfs loves to be around his Bucs teammates, and he loves the game of football. And it's been well documented that having to watch from the sideline as his team goes to battle is something that has eaten away at him. So, when Wirfs was asked about his return to the field after Sunday's game, he quickly made mention of being back with "the fellas."

"It felt good, it felt really good," Wirfs said. "It was nice to be back out there with everybody, with all the fellas. Yeah, we'll see how tomorrow morning feels, but I feel good right now."

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

It was easy to tell how much Wirfs was missing football all summer. He had a hard time not getting in the mix when the Bucs had a bit of a scuffle with the Titans during a joint practice back in August, so when the opportunity to stick up for his quarterback, Baker Mayfield, came up early in Sunday's game against the Eagles, the big left tackle was quickly right back in his element.

"Yeah, you said it, I was just trying to protect Bake," Wirfs said. "This guy was up in his face, and he grabbed my facemask, and I said, 'Let's go.'"

Beyond that heated moment, the All-Pro left tackle and four-time Pro Bowler was just happy to be back with the team and in front of the Bucs fans at Raymond James Stadium.

"Yeah, it felt great, it was just nice being back in the huddle with the boys, in Raymond James and everything, being in front of a crowd," Wirfs said. "Just being back in it, really. I missed it. But it was great being back out, especially against a team like that, in a big game like this. You can't ask for anything better."

The outcome of the game was a loss, and it's one that stung. But having Chris Godwin Jr. and Tristan Wirfs back in the mix? That was a win for the Bucs.