Bucs fans and the media are not the only ones who have seen Chris Godwin’s lack of targets and lack of production in recent weeks. Mariah Godwin, Chris’ wife, took to Instagram Wednesday afternoon to post a series of screenshots defending her husband after head coach Todd Bowles claimed that they were subbing him out against the Panthers due to his neck injury.

That was not the case and the frustration of his role on offense and lack of production has extended to those close to him.

Chris Godwin’s Wife Backs Up Her Claims With Receipts

Mariah Godwin shared three screenshots backing up why she feels that Todd Bowles is lying about her husband, including one from a PewterReport.com story earlier Wednesday referencing what Bowles said during his Monday press conference.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

In the first screenshot, she pointed to his weekly snap counts to illustrate that Chris Godwin was on the field just as much on Sunday as he had been throughout the season.

She states: “I’m not sure why we are just blatantly lying here. Regardless of how banged up Chris is, he continues to work his off, hasn’t missed a game, and continues to run great routes and get open. I don’t know why things are the way they are, this isn’t my team to coach. But this lying on Chris and implying negativity on his work ethic is infuriating. Let’s not act like he had to be subbed out so much more than usual when in fact he’s been playing just the same.”

Furthermore, she added in the second screenshot: “Stop lying on Chris. Stop using the injuries (that he plays through!!) as an excuse for whatever you have going on coaching wise.”

Candidly, it’s hard to argue with her points, and this circles back to Todd Bowles and the answers he gives to the media.

He could have addressed the question by saying he is not in control of subbing offensive players in, as that is on offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Bowles could have given nearly any other response, but by misspeaking about Godwin’s play count on Sunday it led to saying something that simply was not true and it backfired publicly.

Chris Godwin’s Usage Continues To Come Under Fire

One-half of the Bucs’ wide receiver picture is doing just fine. Much has been made of Mike Evans and the success he’s had within Dave Canales’ offense, but in the process, Chris Godwin has been cropped out of the frame. One can infer that the frustration shared by his wife Mariah is something that Chris himself feels to some extent.

Looking at his usage, it is not as simple as pinpointing his recent lack of production on just the scheme, quarterback Baker Mayfield, or Godwin himself. It is a combination of factors that has led to him not bouncing back to his previous levels.

Seahawks WRs Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf and Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – Photos by: USA Today

Chris Godwin has still been getting targets on offense. His 85 targets on the season are not far behind Mike Evans’ 103. What each has done with the ball in their hands tells a different story, and Evans has connected with Mayfield on many passes in the red zone.

While Evans is thriving as the ‘X’ receiver and is averaging 16.6 yards per catch – his highest mark since 2019 – Godwin has not yet been unlocked as the ‘Z’ receiver within the Bucs’ weekly offensive gameplans.

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were supposed on the same level as D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, if not better. After all, Canales coached up both of them and helped a handful of Seahawks offensive coordinators by putting them in positions to succeed based on their strengths. But in Tampa Bay, it has been a different story, and now the offense could have its hand forced.

With Todd Bowles now being called out for his recent comments, it begs the question if anything will change to get Chris Godwin more involved. Bowles does not interfere with the offense, but at some point, something will have to give to get the Bucs’ other big-name wide receiver the football. That means no more excuses – and no more misrepresenting the truth about Godwin.