Chris Godwin and Mike Evans shared the field for nine seasons in Tampa Bay. The duo played together under three different head coaches, six offensive coordinators, and numerous quarterbacks. Through it all, they became one of the league’s top wide receiver tandems and helped lead the Buccaneers to six playoff appearances, five NFC South titles, and a Super Bowl championship in 2021.
However, when Evans signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March, Godwin found out at the same time as the general public.
“I didn’t really believe it, and I texted Bake, and I said, ‘Is this for real?’” Godwin said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Godwin said Mayfield responded with a sad-face emoji.
Chris Godwin Reveals He Was Blindsided by Mike Evans’ Departure in Free Agency
The quote confirms that Evans did not reach out to Godwin before the news became public — a surprise to many fans considering the amount of time the two spent together.
Godwin was selected with the 84th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and developed into one of the league’s top complementary receivers. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and ranks second in Buccaneers history in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. Evans ranks first in all three categories.
The duo ranks fifth all-time in receiving yards and sixth in touchdown receptions among wide receiver tandems who played together on the same team. They also became the first pair of Buccaneers receivers to be selected to the same Pro Bowl in franchise history.
Last offseason, when Godwin re-signed with Tampa Bay on a three-year contract, he spoke about how special it was to continue playing alongside Evans.
“It’s something that I’m extremely proud of and something that I’m extremely fortunate to be a part of. I’ve told Mike that a bunch of times — it’s been an honor to be his running mate for the last eight years, and now we get to continue to do it. Again, always grateful,” Godwin said.
Now, the duo will be split up for the first time in Godwin’s professional career. But he does not appear to have any hard feelings about Evans not sending a goodbye message.
“It’s part of the game, unfortunately. We all know what Mike has meant to this community and this organization. That’s my brother,” Godwin said Tuesday.
Chris Godwin said he didn’t believe it at first when he saw reports that Mike Evans was leaving Tampa. What convinced him that it was really happening — a sad face ☹️ emoji from quarterback Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/HisK1HXRGK
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) June 2, 2026
Now 30 years old, Godwin becomes the veteran leader of a Buccaneers wide receiver room that includes Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson, all of whom are 24 or younger.
“I just want to be a source of help for my guys. The help I received in my career has helped me tremendously, and if I can do that for some of these guys, I feel like I would have done my job right,” Godwin said.
Chris Godwin will have to be a steadying force for the Buccaneers’ wide receiver room following the departure of the ever-consistent Evans, who is one of just two players in NFL history to record 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
A departure that was more shocking to Godwin than some might have expected.
