It seems like Chris Godwin, Jr has been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers forever, but in reality, it's his tenth season in town.

In Week 1 of the NFL schedule vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, the 10th-year receiver was targeted four different times and caught all four throws. He had 40 receiving yards for an average of 10.0 per grab. He also had one carry for three yards. That helped chip in during his team's offensive efforts, but unfortunately, the Bucs still fell to Cincy, 33-27.

Still, it was a down day, statistically, for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who many project as an MVP candidate if the team wins consistently. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner threw for just 216 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions... a pretty pedestrian performance on his part. He completed 23 passes in the loss.

Now in his tenth season in Tampa, Chris Godwin may not be a game-breaker in the game that he once was, but he's the kind of sure-handed star that can make a huge difference in his role. That being the slot, or X-position, in the receiving corps, where the team can move him around and take advantage of his steady hands on third-down plays. That will take a lot of pressure off Mayfield if the Buccaneers coaching staff utilizes the elder star correctly.

“[Godwin is] into it mentally,” Tampa head coach Todd Bowles said about the pass catcher during training camp, according to JoeBucsFan. “He’s sharp. He’s tough. He understands it. He’s a great mentor to the guys. He makes big plays for us in the passing and blocking game. I think right now he’s peaking at the right time.”

Godwin, 30, joined Tampa after a standout career at Penn State, where he was one of the Big Ten’s most productive wide receivers. In his college career, he racked up 2,404 yards and 18 touchdowns before being selected by the Bucs in the third round with the 84th overall pick in the 2017 National Football League Draft.

His best season as a pro came in 2019, when he earned NFL Second-Team All-Pro honors. That year, he recorded 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per catch in 14 games played. His 1,333 yards ranked third in the NFL, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection and AP Second-Team All-Pro honors.

With the departure of his longtime running mate and fellow wide receiver Mike Evans, Godwin has stepped forward to fill the leadership void left behind. The Bucs will need plenty of his guidance to all the younger players, but especially his fellow receivers, if they want to return to the postseason in 2026. Even from the spot he's in now, he has a chance to make a big mark on the team's success this season.

"If I see something that might be able to help, then I loan that advice because that is what I would have wanted in myself that the older guys did for me," Godwin stated about his current role. "Give advice when I see fit. I am not just trying to speak just to speak."