Lots of things will change for the Bucs in year one A.B. (after Brady). One of those things apparently will not be wide receiver Chris Godwin’s jersey number.

From the time he was drafted in 2017 until Brady’s arrival in 2020, Godwin had donned number 12. Tom Brady famously wore the same number for 20 years while playing with the New England Patriots. When Brady signed with the Bucs three years ago there were some questions about whether Godwin would give up the number and, if so, what it would cost Brady.

According to Bucs general manager Jason Licht the number was not a major point of contention for Brady, who had originally thought he would take the number seven in honor of him chasing his seventh Super Bowl. However, Godwin offered the number up without the ask for compensation.

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

Instead, he accepted a promise from Brady that together they would win a Super Bowl together. Brady followed through on that promise as the Bucs won the Super Bowl in Brady’s first year in Tampa Bay. Godwin played the last three seasons with the jersey number 14.

Now that Brady is retired, and the team is full steam ahead on their post-Brady plans Godwin has the opportunity to reclaim his old digits. And it would make sense for him to do so.

He not only wore the number 12 to start his NFL career, but also during his three years at Penn State in college. His twitter handle is “CGtwelve_”.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Is Sticking With No. 14

There are all sorts of reasons for Godwin to reclaim the number that he initially burst onto the NFL scene with. And yet, Godwin seems to have no such plans to do so. Speaking with Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports, Godwin divulged he doesn’t think he can go back.

“I wish I could go back, man,” Godwin said. “But I think I’m stuck with 14. I think that’s gonna be me from now on. Twelve has meant a lot to me, but I feel like it would be kinda weird going back right now. We’ll see. I won’t completely close the door, but odds are it’s probably 14.”

While Godwin originally made his name while wearing 12, he solidified that name wearing 14. Godwin was wearing that number during all three of his playoff appearances, including the aforementioned Super Bowl run.

For his career Godwin has 446 receptions for 5,666 yards and 32 touchdowns.