Buccaneers Place Franchise Tag On Chris Godwin

Tampa FL

08 March, 2022

7:32 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on receiver Chris Godwin on Tuesday, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Using the tag prevents Godwin from testing free agency when it opens next week. It's the second straight year Tampa Bay has used the franchise tag on Godwin, meaning he is guaranteed a $19.1 million salary, or 120 percent of his 2021 salary, for the 2022 season. Godwin and the team still have until July to work out a long-term deal before Godwin plays under the tag this season. Godwin tore his ACL in a Week 15 game against the New Orleans Saints, ending his season in December. The receiver has already undergone surgery to repair his knee, and Bucs coach Bruce Arians estimated he was at "40 percent" in conversations at the NFL Combine last week in Indianapolis. Torn ACLs typically have a nine-month recovery timetable, meaning Godwin has a chance to return by the start of the regular season. Godwin led the team with 1,103 receiving yards last year and has gone over 1,100 receiving yards in two of the last three seasons. The lone season below that mark came when he played in just 12 games and recorded 840 yards.