3 ideal landing spots for former Penn State star Chris Godwin in NFL free agency 2025
After helping lead Penn State to the Big Ten Title with nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2016, Chris Godwin became a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and every Penn State fan knew that he was a steal.
Since then, Godwin has become one of the best WR2 or 1Bs in the NFL, dominating from the outside and the slot on an offense with future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. Through eight seasons, a couple of those with Tom Brady, Godwin has four 1,000-yard seasons and was on pace for another with Baker Mayfield last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury seven games in.
Now, the Super Bowl champion is entering free agency for the first time and looking to cash in. There are a few great wide receivers available this offseason; Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, and Hollywood Brown. Yet, Godwin might get the biggest payday.
Here are three teams that would be an ideal fit for the former Nittany Lion:
Pittsburgh Steelers
Typically, when a wide receiver is able to test the market in free agency, they seek out big-time quarterbacks to team up with. The Steelers still don’t know who is going to be under center in 2025, however, there are just so many opportunities on an offense starved for playmakers that Godwin could dominate as a high-volume No. 1 option. George Pickens is remarkably talented, but he’s also incredibly volatile and could be heading into his final season as a Steelers. At 28 years old, Pittsburgh could be a nice second act for Godwin.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Known as a physical jump ball winner with Trace McSorley at Penn State, Godwin thrived as a yards-after-the-catch monster from the slot last year in offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s first year in Tampa Bay. Now, Coen is the head coach in Jacksonville and Godwin would be an ideal fit as the Jaguars look to rebuild their offense to revive Trevor Lawrence’s career. Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. looks like a budding star heading into his second season, and Godwin’s skillset compliments the outside speed threat perfectly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have made it clear that they’re going to make it difficult for Godwin to leave in free agency, and that means a competitive contract offer. He’s been a star in Tampa Bay, and if he signs another contract to stay with Baker Mayfield and head coach Todd Bowles, for what would be the rest of his prime years, he’d become a legend. The Bucs still need him as 1B to Mike Evans who is on the wrong side of 30, and as Evans ages out, Godwin would take an even bigger role in a place his intimately familiar with.
