Bucs receiver Chris Godwin is turning heads at start of training camp

TAMPA — The Chris Godwin of old appears to be coming back around, as the Bucs receiver has been turning heads during the first couple of days of training camp.

“Chris looks good; he’s lean,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “... I think he’s finally healthy, and he looks great. The work he puts in (during) the offseason is unmatched. The way he came into camp right now and the way he’s been picking up the system has been great.”

Godwin has looked comfortable since being moved back to slot receiver this offseason. He and Baker Mayfield connected on several passes during Thursday’s team drills.

“He looks like he’s in mid-season form,” receiver Mike Evans said Wednesday. “He was making plays, going deep. (He) looks like the 2019 Chris Godwin, so he’s always been an unbelievable leader and player for us, and I expect no different this year.”

That’s high praise, as Godwin had 1,333 receiving yards and nine touchdowns — both career highs — that season.

He went down with an ACL tear late in the 2021 season, which he finished with 1,103 yards. He returned to post 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 but didn’t feel completely back.

“(I was) just lacking a little bit of explosion — those things take time to get back,” Godwin said. “You spend your whole life building that up, and then you have to rebuild it. So, while there were some things that I did really well and worked my way through, there was still more I left out there on the table.”

The issue wasn’t Godwin’s ability to make plays. He was missing the small intangibles that defined his on-field presence, he said.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Godwin said. “Anytime you’re coming off an injury, it takes a few years to get back. I’ve always been the type of person that never really focused on dwelling on the past, just trying to do the best I can with what I’ve got.”

Over those two years, he worked on getting better. Now, headed into 2024, he’s optimistic about how much progress he’s made.

“This year, I’m looking to set back up again,” he said. " I think only time will really tell how things play out, but I feel pretty good about this year. Honestly, looking forward to the opportunity.”

The way the Bucs have practiced has helped Godwin in his recovery.

“We practice at a really good tempo. We’re getting more reps early on, but we’ve been working that since (voluntary offseason workouts). The way our coaches are coaching has been really good and allowed guys to be confident stepping onto the field. We’re hitting the ground running.”

Recovery for Godwin wasn’t just about practicing, though. He had to consider all aspects of his life and evolve his training regimen.

“I’ve always ate really well, maybe changing the things like that I eat or changing how much running I do (helps),” Godwin said. “It’s a big-picture thing. It’s not like (you can) just go change your diet and now like you’re playing better. It’s a whole-scale approach.

“Every year, I change things up just a little bit. If you’re ever just doing the exact same thing, I feel like you’re being complacent, and I never want to take that approach. Always looking for ways to be a little different. That’s also in recovery (and) training.”

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