It was Oct. 21 in a Monday night home loss to the Crows with the Bucs frantically trying to get back into the game when Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle.
Godwin required surgery and initially Bucs coach Todd Bowles openly hoped he could come back for the playoffs and didn’t rule out a postseason return. But Bowles in early January noted Godwin would not return and was done for the year.
So last week when Bowles spoke with the local pen and mic club, he seemed to indicate that Godwin’s dislocated ankle was a major injury (as if suffering a season-ending injury in October isn’t major).
Bowles was asked if he would like to have Godwin back next season. Godwin will be a free agent if he’s not re-signed when the free agency dinner bell rings on March 12.
Bowles acted like he didn’t even know when Godwin could get back on a football field.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Bowles said. “If we can sign him back at all, I’d love to have him back here.
“I don’t know the significance yet of how long he will be out and how he will recover, but we would definitely like to have him back.”
Well, that didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement.
Could Godwin’s injury spook other teams from taking a gamble on damaged goods? And if so, could the Bucs maybe get Godwin at a discount?
If other teams are scared off, the Bucs better play it safe as well. So maybe the Bucs could get Godwin below market value, at least for the 2025 season.
Imagine what a healthy Godwin might do with a full season with Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
If Coen doesn’t bolt to Jacksonville.
