The Cleveland Browns have been connected to a compelling trade for a Pro Bowl wide receiver.
The Cleveland Browns need a whole lot of things this offseason, and while quarterback is their primary area of concern, they might end up heading into 2026 with Shedeur Sanders under center.
But regardless of who is playing quarterback, the Browns will actually need to have some weapons for him to throw to, and Cleveland is largely bereft in that department right now.
Jerry Jeudy was a massive disappointment in 2025, Cedric Tillman did next to nothing and while Isaiah Bond clearly has potential, he totaled 18 catches this past season.
The Browns could definitely stand to bolster their receiving corps, and Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine linked them to an exciting trade target: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin.
"Chris Godwin would be an interesting fit now that Todd Monken is coming in as head coach," Ballentine wrote. "He was a big part of Godwin's early development during his time in Tampa and the Bucs might be willing to deal him after back-to-back years of struggling with injures."
Monken was the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator between 2016 and 2018. Godwin arrived in the NFL in 2017, so he had two years with Monken in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.While Godwin didn't truly break out until Monken departed, hauling in 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance in 2018, he posted some solid production in his first two seasons.
In fact, up until the last two years, you could basically pencil Godwin in for 1,000 yards each campaign. He registered four 1,000-yard seasons between 2019 and 2023, and it would have been five straight had it not been for Godwin missing four games in 2020.
Of course, injuries have become a rather common occurrence for the 29-year-old the last couple of years, as Godwin appeared in a combined 16 contests between 2024 and 2025. In nine games this past season, he logged 33 catches for 360 yards and a pair of scores, so the production was definitely lacking.
But when Godwin is right, he is one of the most underrated receivers in all of football, and he would instantly upgrade Cleveland's aerial attack.
What's more, Godwin is under team control through 2027, but has a club option for the final year of the contract. That means the Browns would have no financial obligation to him beyond 2026, and it's hard to imagine Godwin would cost that much in a trade at this point.
This is definitely a move Cleveland should consider making if it's available.
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