Bucs’ Godwin on Evans: ‘I think he’s still one of the more underrated receivers in the league’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have established themselves as one of the best wide receiver duos in football. Last season, Evans and Godwin both had over one-thousand receiving years, and both made the Pro Bowl.

Evans, 27, has been over one-thousand receiving yards in each of the first six seasons of his career. The three-time Pro Bowler joined Randy Moss as the only wide receivers to have over one-thousand receiving yards in each of their first six seasons in the league. Despite the numbers, Godwin believes Evans is underrated. 

“Everyone knows how dominant Mike is,” Godwin said during a video call on Monday. “I think he’s still one of the more underrated receivers in the league. Every time we go out there and work, we just go out there, and we push each other. He knows he can lean on me, I know I can lean on him.

“We know that together we’re going to push each other to be the best that we can be. Like B.A. (Bruce Arians) was saying, we’re team-first guys. I think the biggest thing with us is if we’re winning – yes, we feel like us contributing is going to be to the team’s benefit, but at the end of the day if we win, that’s the most important thing.”

Godwin, 24, has also developed into an excellent receiver. In 2019, Godwin had career-highs in receptions(86), receiving yards(1333), and touchdowns(9). The fourth-year wide receiver can be a free agent at the end of the season. However, Godwin hopes he can continue to play alongside Evans for years to come.

“I think that would be really dope,” Godwin said. “I think me and Mike have grown so much over the last couple of years. Like I said, that’s someone I really look up to. I admire him, and he has helped me so much. Keeping that intact would definitely be something that is beneficial for all of us. That’s my guy. Anything I can do to roll with him, I’m rolling.”

Many believe with the additions of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski that Tampa Bay’s offense can be special, and according to Godwin, it could happen if the team avoids mistakes. 

“I don’t know if we’re quite there yet, but what I will say is that if we’re able to significantly reduce, not only the turnovers, but the mental errors on everybody’s part – if we’re able to keep pulling the rope in the same direction, I think it’s pretty scary what our offense can be,” Godwin said. “I’m not really sure if there’s a limit on that. We’ve still got a long way to go. We’ve done some really good things so far in camp, but by no means are we where we need to be. We’ve got some time, and we’ve got the right guys with the right mentalities, so we should all keep getting after it.”