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About the Author: Scott Reynolds
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Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin reached a new milestone in with the fourth 1,000-yard season in his six-year career in Tampa Bay. Godwin entered the game with 77 catches for 973 yards (12.6 avg.) and two touchdowns this year and surpassed 1,000 yards in the third quarter on a 10-yard catch on a screen pass.
This marks the third straight 1,000-yard season in Godwin’s career dating back to 2021 when he had 98 receptions for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns before suffering a serious knee injury in December and being placed on injured reserve. Coming off ACL surgery, Godwin returned to action last year with 104 receptions for 1,023 yards and three scores, while averaging a career-low 9.8 yards per catch. He fell just three catches short of breaking Keyshawn Johnson’s record for most catches in Tampa Bay during a single regular season.
Godwin’s first 1,000-yard season came in 2019 when he caught 86 passes for a career-high 1,333 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. He made his first and only Pro Bowl that season.
Chris Godwin Enters Contract Year With The Bucs In 2024
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today
Chris Godwin needed a bounce back year with the Bucs this season, as he is making an average of $20 million per season and is entering a contract year with the team in 2024. After averaging just 9.8 yards per catch in 2022, Godwin has increased his receiving average to 12.6 yards per catch this year.
In offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ new offense, Godwin is no longer featured primarily in the slot. While he thrived inside from 2019-22 in Bruce Arians’ offense, it also took a physical toll on Godwin’s health due to all of the blocking at the point of attack in the running game.
Godwin missed two games in 2019 and four games in 2020 due to injury. He also missed the last three games of the season and both playoff games in 2021 due to his knee injury, in addition to two more games in 2022.
But Godwin has been healthier, and has suited up for every game in the 2023 season, overcoming a neck injury and playing through a leg injury as well.
