Top Patriots wide receiver target re-signs with Buccaneers
The New England Patriots will need to look elsewhere for their No. 1 wide receiver on the depth chart.
One of their top free agent targets, Chris Godwin, is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, agreeing to a three-year, $66 million deal, with $44 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
"New England was very interested in Chris Godwin. New England was putting on a lot of pressure and making it very difficult for him to go back to Tampa. ... But in the end, Godwin did not want to leave Tampa,” said Schefter.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting Godwin left $20 million on the table because he wanted to remain with the Buccaneers.
Godwin, 29, saw his season get cut short when he suffered a gross ankle dislocation with 43 seconds left in a 10-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 21. He played in just seven games last season, catching 50 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. From 2019 through 2023, Godwin eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark each year, including 1,100-plus yards four times, according to PFF.com.
The veteran wide receiver’s best year on the gridiron came in 2019 when he finished with 86 catches, 1,333 yards, and nine touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro honors for his efforts. The veteran receiver has twice been voted into the NFL Network’s list of Top 100 players—in 2020 and 2021.
New England has been trying to land a top option for its offense the last couple of seasons, making a run at Calvin Ridley who signed with the Tennessee Titans. They had a deal in place to acquire San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but he preferred to remain in the Bay Area.
The Patriots wanted to pursue Bengals’ Tee Higgins; he was instead slapped with the franchise tag. Davante Adams was a rumored target, but he opted to join the Rams and should instantly transform that offense with Matt Stafford. D.K. Metcalf was dealt to the Steelers for a 2025 second-round pick and immediately agreed to a five-year, $150 million deal.
Bruins Notes: Brad Marchand traded to the Panthers; Brandon Carlo heads to the Maple Leafs; McLaughlin moved to the Devils
After spending 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins, Brad Marchand was traded at the NHL trade deadline to the Florida Panthers.