Buccaneers working on giving Baker Mayfield boost 12 months after $100M contract

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to bring back a familiar face to support Baker Mayfield after inking the star quarterback to a $100 million contract last offseason.

According to FOX Sports Greg Auman, the Buccaneers and Chris Godwin are in talks on a new contract thatd prevent him from hitting the free agent market this offseason.

In order to provide efficient time for the negotiating process, the wide receiver and Tampa Bay agreed to push the void date of his concluding deal back to the end of the league year.

Chris Godwins current contract was due to void, triggering $18 million in dead money against the Bucs 2025 cap, but the two sides agreed to move that void date to the final day of the league year (March 14).

Buys them time to work out a new deal and keep some 2025 cap savings, Auman wrote on X.

When asked if the contract adjustment meant that the Buccaneers and Godwin were close to hammering out a new agreement, he replied: Theyre working on it.

While Tampa Bay and Godwin both appear interested in reuniting this offseason, ESPN's Jenna Laine asserted that the 28-year-old wouldnt be coming back on a franchise tag.

"While sources told ESPN that the Bucs very much want receiver Chris Godwin back and will do what it takes to make this happen, it won't be by using the franchise tag," Laine said.

"They used the tag as a placeholder the last time Godwin was a free agent (in 2022), and they used it on him in 2021, so this would be his third time being tagged - therefore, it would have to be a 144 percent raise, and I'm told there is no chance of that happening.

They'll do what it takes to re-sign him as a free agent." Super Bowl LIX: Philadelphia Eagles fans can celebrate historic win with Super Bowl LIX merch Since being drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Godwin has emerged as one of Tampa Bays most reliable targets on offense.

The Penn State product boasts four seasons with over 1,000 yards through the air while ranking second in Buccaneers franchise history in receptions (579), receiving yards (7,266) and touchdown catches (39).

Godwins promising 2024-25 campaign came to a crashing halt, however, after he suffered a serious ankle dislocation against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.

The horrific ankle injury was a tough pill to swallow for Mayfield, who told reporters at the time: It just absolutely sucks.

It sucks for our team, but Chris deserves better than that.

Hes an unbelievable guy, unbelievable teammate, hes been playing extraordinarily this year.

Ive got a heavy heart right now.

I dont know what were going to do but have some guys step up, but thoughts and prayers with Chris and his family right now.

Addressing Godwins impact on the team, Mayfield added: Chris is an unbelievable veteran presence.

Obviously consistent on the field play, but what he does goes throughout the whole building.

Goes out of his way to teach the young guys and bring them under his wing.

Hes somebody that anybody in the NFL would want on your team.

Thats why this hurts..

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