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Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be a trade target for the Cleveland Browns.
On the long checklist of items that will need addressing for the Cleveland Browns this offseason, the largest is, of course, quarterback, which has been the case for this franchise going back to, oh, the early 1990s or so. But it’s hardly the only issue the Browns are facing, especially with an offense that rated No. 32 out of 32 on the Pro Football Focus list last year, and did so by a wide margin–the Jets were No. 31 with a 62.6 grade, while the Browns were 55.6, which is the lowest grade since PFF began grading units 20 years ago.
There are some bright spots, with 2025 rookie tight end Harold Fannin and running back Quinshon Judkins. But the offensive line needs a total rebuild. And there’s the wide-receiver room.
The Browns would like to see Jerry Jeudy, who struggled badly with drops and a lack of effort in 2025, return to his 2024 level, when he logged 1,229 yards receiving and earned a Pro Bowl spot. But they can’t be sure that’s coming, so GM Andrew Berry is being urged to target a potentially available star receiver: Chris Godwin of the Buccaneers.
Chris Godwin Trade Would Be a Gamble
Adding Godwin would be a gamble for the Browns, but given the state of the offense, a gamble might be what this team needs. Godwin has played just 16 games in the last two years, his 2024 season cut short by a nasty ankle injury that require multiple surgeries, and his 2025 season ended by a fibula injury.
But the folks at Bleacher Report see the upside in Godwin, who signed a three-year, $66 million deal last offseason to stay in Tampa Bay. He turned down more money to play elsewhere because he wanted to stay with the Bucs, so trading him away after one year would be a bit underhanded for Tampa. They have up-and-coming young receivers, though, as well as a cap crunch.
The 2027 season is at the team’s option, so this could, effectively, be a one-year gamble, whether for the Browns or any other team that seeks to pluck Godwin.
Browns Could Nab a ‘Distressed’ Star
Here’s how B/R sees a Browns-Buccaneers trade.
“Browns Receive: WR Chris Godwin
“Buccaneers Receive: 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 107)”
The rationale begins by pointing out that Berry gambled on “distressed assets” like Amari Cooper and Jeudy before.
B/R writes: “Godwin has faced season-ending injuries in each of the last two seasons, but Todd Monken coached the receiver early in his career with Tampa. That relationship helped build Godwin into the receiver he became. Getting a chance to reunite where he could have a bounce-back as the No. 1 receiver for the Browns would be a cool story for both sides.”
GettyCleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
Browns’ Todd Monken Has Ties to Chris Godwin
It would be a cool story, indeed, if Godwin can have a bounce-back and can do it with the Browns. Before his injuries, he had been on a run of three straight 1,000-yard seasons, serving as the bookend receiver for star Mike Evans. And the Monken connection is a good footnote, because Godwin caught 59 passes for 842 yards and seven touchdowns in his second season with Monken as the offensive coordinator.
There is the health gamble, and the fact that Godwin turns 30 this week. Godwin also would chew up a sizable portion of a limited amount of cap space in Cleveland. With only a fourth-rounder going out, though, it could be a gamble worth taking.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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