WR Chris Godwin: “Guys are not afraid to make mistakes”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering into the first phases of training camp, as they do every year, but this time things seem a little different. There seems to be a completely different vibe down at 1-Buccaneer Place, a vibe change that is much needed. This much-needed new demeanor comes from the Buccaneers’ new offensive coordinator, Dave Canales.

Bucs’ veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin spoke to the media on Wednesday and was asked if he felt like this new offensive scheme is going to be one that will allow guys like himself, and Mike Evans, to get open down the field more.

“I think you can kind of get a feel for that. We are still really developing the offense and figuring out what we specifically do best. Dave has a great football mind. His demeanor is very good for what we need right now on offense. We are a relatively younger team. He has given us the ability to learn on the fly. Guys are not afraid to make mistakes. We are going out there and play free. Whenever there are mistakes, we learn from it, and we grow. We trust that he is going to put us in positions to make plays. If we trust the system, the plays will be there. The ball will find the open person.”

The Bucs’ new offensive coordinator’s scheme will call for the quarterback to be mobile, which will allow plays to develop down the field, essentially taking what the opposing team’s defense gives —being able to play free should allow both Evans and Godwin to create space and find themselves open more a whole lot more. And the fact that no one has to be afraid of making mistakes is something that everyone on this football team can appreciate. It is refreshing, and it helps to boost a player’s confidence.

“I would say so. The whole staff; it is just a very freeing environment. We all are having a great time. Some of the young guys really feel like they are a part of this team already — which is cool. Sometimes when young guys get here, it can be a bit intimidating when you are going against some of the best guys in the world at what you do. Dave’s energy since he came in has been amazing. He has been consistent, and that is really all you can ask for from your coordinator, is to be the same person every time. You don’t want him to be one way in the meetings and then get on the field and, he is snapping on guys like, ‘Where did that come from?’. We appreciate him for that.”

Godwin also mentioned that his body feels much better now, having overcome a severe knee injury following a devastating low hit by New Orleans Saints defender PJ Williams in 2021. That injury resulted in the veteran wide receiver missing having reconstructive ACL surgery. He returned in 2022, played in 15 games, catching the ball 104 times for 1,023 yards and 3 touchdowns, and although he was back and it seemed he was back in form, Chris Godwin feels like his body is in a much better place and that his explosiveness is returning. With Canales’s new offense, Godwin could have himself a career year!