{"id":286019,"date":"2026-06-03T09:30:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T13:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=286019"},"modified":"2026-06-03T08:39:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T12:39:58","slug":"chris-godwin-reveals-he-was-blindsided-by-mike-evans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/03\/chris-godwin-reveals-he-was-blindsided-by-mike-evans\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Godwin Reveals He Was Blindsided by Mike Evans\u2019 Departure in Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chris Godwin<\/a> and Mike Evans<\/a> shared the field for nine seasons in Tampa Bay<\/a>. The duo played together under three different head coaches, six offensive coordinators, and numerous quarterbacks. Through it all, they became one of the league\u2019s top wide receiver tandems and helped lead the Buccaneers to six playoff appearances, five NFC South titles, and a Super Bowl championship in 2021.<\/p>\n

However, when Evans signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers<\/a> in March, Godwin found out at the same time as the general public.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t really believe it, and I texted Bake, and I said, \u2018Is this for real?\u2019\u201d Godwin said during a press conference on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Godwin said Mayfield responded with a sad-face emoji.<\/p>\n

Chris Godwin Reveals He Was Blindsided by Mike Evans\u2019 Departure in Free Agency<\/h3>\n

The quote confirms that Evans did not reach out to Godwin before the news became public \u2014 a surprise to many fans considering the amount of time the two spent together.<\/p>\n

Godwin was selected with the 84th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and developed into one of the league\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019m extremely proud of and something that I\u2019m extremely fortunate to be a part of. I\u2019ve told Mike that a bunch of times \u2014 it\u2019s 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,\u201d Godwin said.<\/p>\n

Now, the duo will be split up for the first time in Godwin\u2019s professional career. But he does not appear to have any hard feelings about Evans not sending a goodbye message.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s part of the game, unfortunately. We all know what Mike has meant to this community and this organization. That\u2019s my brother,\u201d Godwin said Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\n

Chris Godwin said he didn\u2019t believe it at first when he saw reports that Mike Evans was leaving Tampa. What convinced him that it was really happening \u2014 a sad face \u2639\ufe0f emoji from quarterback Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com\/HisK1HXRGK<\/a><\/p>\n

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) June 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n