Patriots Rumors: Chris Godwin Contract Could've Been Up To $30M AAV Before Bucs Deal

Chris Godwin is staying with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after signing a three-year, $66 million contract with $45 million guaranteed, but the wide receiver reportedly could have gotten much more elsewhere.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on The Adam Schefter Podcast on Thursday that the New England Patriots "were willing to go up to" $30 million per year for Godwin before he signed with Tampa Bay.

Had Godwin taken that offer, he would have joined an elite group of receivers that make more than $30 million a year. Instead, he'll stay with the team that drafted him for a much lower price.

It wasn't an easy decision for Godwin, who said he was "really close" to leaving Tampa Bay.

"I mean, to be honest, I feel like we were really close (to leaving)," Godwin said on NFL Network's The Insiders (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra). "When it comes to a situation like that, you have to really, really consider it. Me and (his wife) Mariah, we had some really tough conversations. Had some really tough conversations with my agent. Because at the end of the day, you're trying to figure out what's going to be best for our family. Not everybody would make that decision, and I'm not faulting anybody that would."

Godwin was on pace for a career year in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury after seven games. Now back with the team he's been with for eight years, the veteran receiver will look to find more success in Tampa Bay.