The Bills have plenty of needs this offseason, and most of them are on defense. But if there's one position that could use some added help on the offensive side of the ball, it's at wide receiver.
The Bills' top duo of wide receivers combined for the fewest receiving yards and fewest receiving touchdowns of any top duo for any team that made the playoffs in 2024. Some have expressed interest in going after Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver Chris Godwin, but I'm here to throw some cold water on that scenario.
First off, I completely understand the appeal. Injuries aside, Godwin has been one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the NFL over the last five or so years, proving to be an explosive and reliable threat. From 2019-2024, Godwin was tied with Davante Adams for the second-most games with five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards at 54.
Ironically, first in that statistic was former-Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, but that's irrelevant. Mostly.
Godwin is great in the screen game, great deep down the field, and blocks like crazy. He would be a terrific fit for the Bills. Unfortunately, Bills Mafia can all but scratch him off their free agency bingo card, as all signs point to Godwin returning to Tampa Bay at a very hefty price tag that's expected to be around $20 million/year.
Here's what Buccaneers expert Evan Winter had to say on the matter:
$20 mil/year may seem high for those unfamiliar with what Chris Godwin can do, but it’s a justifiable price once it’s acknowledged that not only can he be a WR1 for most teams, but his ability to play inside/outside, be a threat on screens, and be a deep threat (to an extent) make him an all-around player that any team would love to have. He’s also a mainstay in terms of leadership on the Bucs roster and he’s a great teammate.
The biggest knock at this point is injury history. Coming off a fractured ankle, it’s fair to wonder if he gets off to a slow start in 2025 or picks right back up on the career-setting pace he was on in 2024. Either way, his loyalty to the Bucs, and vice-versa, make him a near-lock to return to Tampa Bay in 2025 and likely beyond.
Godwin would have been a great addition to the Bills, able to contribute as a run blocker, a screen-receiver, and a downfield threat that can line up inside and outside, but it looks like Godwin is staying put in Tampa Bay.
