Chris Godwin’s involvement in the Buccaneers offense took a hit in Sunday’s 21—18 win over the Panthers, and his wife has questions.
The Tampa Bay wide receiver was targeted just three times against Carolina, a notable drop-off compared to the seven targets he received in each of the Bucs’ two previous games. Despite being on the field for 52 snaps against the Panthers (84% of the Bucs’ offensive plays), Godwin saw fewer looks than his fellow wideouts. The Super Bowl champ finished with zero catches but did record a 19-yard rushing touchdown.
When probed about Godwin’s performance, Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles claimed Godwin’s injuries resulted in a decrease in playing time.
“We were subbing him out a lot,” Bowles said Monday. “Obviously, he’s a little nicked up, so he’s not totally 100%. Nobody is, but he is probably banged up more than most. For him to get the run for us was huge for him. I think it helped him out a lot. It helped us out a lot, so it was good to see him get in the end zone.”
Godwin’s wife, Mariah, took to Instagram to defend her husband on Wednesday and clapped back at Bowles for “blatantly lying” about her husband’s usage. And she brought all the receipts.
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Mariah Godwin wrote, “I’m not sure why we are just blatantly lying here. regardless of how banged up Chris is, he continues to work his a– off. hasn’t missed a game. continues to run great routes and get open.
“I don’t know why things are the way they are, this isn’t my team to coach. but this lying on Chris and implying negativity on his work ethic is infuriating. let’s not act like he had to be subbed out so much more than usual when in fact he’s been playing just the same.”
In Godwin's first season under offensive coordinator Dave Canales, the seventh-year wideout has 53 catches for 606 yards and one receiving touchdown.
The Bucs (5—7) will play the Falcons (6—6) in a critical NFC South battle at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
