Monday was a big day in the rebuilding of the Patriots franchise, as the team committed to an NFL-high $283 million in new contracts, including $104 million for defensive lineman Milton Williams and $60 million for cornerback Carlton Davis.
While New England's defense should be demonstrably better under new coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots were unable to reel in the big fish they sought at wide receiver. The team made a pitch to Buccaneers star Chris Godwin, who suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 7 last year, an injury that required surgery and ended his season.
He'd been outstanding before the injury, with 50 catches and 576 yards (second-most in the NFL) and has been consistent before that, going for more than 1,000 yards for three straight seasons heading into 2024.
At age 29, Godwin was the top wide receiver available in free agency, and the Patriots made their push to sign him, offering him a deal worth more than $80 million. He would have been the ideal deep-ball target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who badly needs a deep-ball target.
But Godwin passed on the Pats and instead agreed to return to Tampa Bay on a three-year, $66 million contract.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 10, 2025
"From my understanding Chris Godwin left about $20 million on the table ..." NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on, "The Pat McAfee Show." "It's pretty cool to see for Chris Godwin. I know New England was in on him pretty heavy. If you like where you are, they tug at the heart strings, they do everything they can to get you to stay, a lot of times, it's hard to say no. I think that's what we're seeing here."
The Patriots will thus continue their quest to find some big-name receiver who wants to catch passes from Maye. They did add Buffalo Bills receiver Mack Hollins on a two-year, $8.4 million contract, but he is not the No. 1 option the team has been seeking.
