Report: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' franchise tag decision is '90 percent' certain
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been weighing this offseason whether or not to place the franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin or cornerback Carlton Davis. Godwin, who had the franchise tag placed on him last season by Tampa Bay, tore his ACL in week 15 of the 2021 season. He was on his way […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been weighing this offseason whether or not to place the franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin or cornerback Carlton Davis.
Godwin, who had the franchise tag placed on him last season by Tampa Bay, tore his ACL in week 15 of the 2021 season. He was on his way to a career-best year before the injury.
Davis, on the other hand, looks like a top NFL cornerback. And those are hard to come by. Working out a long-term team for Davis would be in the best interest of the Bucs.
The Buccaneers, however, really want to keep Godwin in Tampa Bay — despite his torn ACL.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday morning that there's a "leaguewide belief" that Tampa Bay will use the franchise tag on Godwin for a second straight season.
From ESPN:
The belief leaguewide is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would tag receiver Chris Godwin over cornerback Carlton Davis, who is set to become a free agent but definitely could be re-signed. One source predicted there's a 90% chance Tampa Bay tags Godwin, whom the Bucs do not want to lose.
The franchise tag for Godwin would cost the Buccaneers around $19.2 million this year (Godwin made just under $16 million last season playing under the tag).
If this report is accurate and the Buccaneers end up using the franchise tag on Godwin, it doesn't necessarily mean Godwin will play under the tag in 2022. Placing the tag on Godwin would give Tampa Bay some time to work out a contract extension with a safety net in place in case they couldn't get it done.
Spotrac has Godwin's market value at $18.4 million over six years.
Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
