For much of the lead-up to free agency, the focus in Tampa Bay was on whether or not the Buccaneers could retain wide receiver Chris Godwin.
Now that he's back, the storyline shifts to his eventual return to the field following a season-ending ankle injury.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht recently provided an update on WDAE's The Drive with TKras, expressing the utmost confidence in Godwin's recovery thus far and in the future.
"I'm feeling very good about it," Licht said. "He's hitting all of his milestones. He's hitting all of his markers. He's where he's supposed to be. We're not going to try to set any records for the fastest rehab because we want to make sure everything's done right and just get him out there for the regular season. Right now, we're taking it week by week. I've said this time and time before, but I would never bet against Chris."
Godwin's ankle dislocation was a brutal end to what was on pace to be one of his finest years as a pro.
Through seven contests last season, Godwin was on fire with 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns. His 82.3 yards per game fell below only that of his third year in the NFL, Godwin's lone Pro Bowl campaign back in 2019, and his 7.1 receptions per game stands as a career high.
The goal now is to return to that level as Tampa Bay aims for yet another NFC South title.
Godwin's ability to hit the ground running come the start of next season should likely be aided by the comfortability of sticking with the only NFL team he's ever known -- even if that wasn't always a guarantee.
The 29-year-old admitted after re-signing with the Bucs that he was "really close" to leaving, a possibility Licht, who noted another club trying to sway Godwin kept offering a "blank check," also addressed.
"I did," Licht said when asked if he ever thought the Bucs might lose Godwin to free agency. "To be honest with you, I did. And it's not a good feeling. Stopped short of throwing up in my trash can in my office. Chris has meant a lot. Kind of went through the same thing last year with Mike (Evans). He's the epitome of a teammate, and I could say the same thing about Mike and Lavonte (David), too. We're just so fortunate to have veteran leaders like the three of them. I don't think we'll ever be able to replicate that.
"He left a lot of money on the table. He valued the culture here, the city, the fans, being able to hopefully retire as a Buccaneer. I think there's some value in that. I said at the press conference that we get a lot of kudos for being loyal to our players, but in this case, in a lot of these cases, I mean he was loyal to us. I'll forever be grateful for the decision he and (his wife) Mariah made."
With the dust settled on the first few waves of free agency, Licht's trash can is free from harm, Godwin is safely back in the fold and the wideout's recovery is on track.
Next up, the draft, then onto hopefully extending Tampa Bay's franchise-record run of five straight postseason berths to a sixth.
