Bucs Announce Major Decision On Chris Godwin Contract

The coming weeks will tell us if this is "good-faith negotiating'' or just a gesture of "goodwill.

But for now? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not yet "buying'' Chris Godwin. ... but they are buying some time before he enters free agency. 

Godwin, who has spent all of his eight-year career in Tampa Bay, can hit the open market this offseason and would be penciled in as what some think is a top free agent worthy of making more than $20 million per year ...

Somewhere.

Will that be in Tampa?

For now, Buccaneers and Godwin have negotiated their way not to a new contract, but rather to a new wrinkle in his existing deal. They agreement to a contract change has moved his void date back from Monday, Feb. 17, to March 12 - March 12 being the official opening of NFL free agency.

We have repeatedly heard the Buccaneers, through various outlet, state that they want to keep Godwin ... and are willing to do what it takes to prove that.

One example?

"Sources told ESPN that the Bucs very much want receiver Chris Godwin back and will do what it takes to make this happen,'' ESPN writes. "They'll do what it takes to re-sign him as a free agent."

That concept has merit - pending an actual offer.

Godwin averaged 82 yards per game, had 50 catches, and had five touchdowns in his seven outings last year before he got hurt, and he was on track to surpass 1,300 receiving yards.

Tampa Bay can make an argument to turn the page here, with Mike Evans and now young Jalen McMillan available to fill the Buccaneers void.

Will they lock him up or be willing to let him test the market? The Bucs and Godwin just purchased some breathing room as that decision is about to unfold.