Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1533674
A P R I L 2 0 2 5 6 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M and that's a big reason I wanted to come back to Cincinnati." GODWIN RETURNING TO BUCCANEERS Former Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin was set to headline a weak wide receiver free agency class at the start of the league year. With the top of the 2025 NFL Draft looking lean, too, Godwin was the best available option for teams that were looking to improve their receiver rooms ahead of the 2025 season. That changed just minutes into the legal negotiation window on March 10 when Godwin re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Godwin chose to take less money to stay in Tampa and continue playing for the team that drafted him in 2017. His new deal is for $66 million over three years, with $45 million guaranteed. When healthy, Godwin has been one of the NFL's most reliable receivers. He eclipsed 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons despite the presence of future Hall of Famer Mike Evans at his position in the Bucs' offense. Godwin also has filled multiple roles for the team, starting his career in the slot and serving as one of Tom Brady's primary targets in Tampa Bay's 2020 championship run. However, his career has been marred by injuries, including a dislocated ankle that ended his 2024 season after seven weeks. Before getting hurt against Bal- timore, Godwin had amassed 50 catches for 576 yards and appeared to be well on his way to another 1,000-yard season. With the new contract, the Bucs are banking on him making a full recovery. "Chris means the world to this orga- nization — to all of us individually, and to this organization as a whole," general manager Jason Licht said. "We've been down this road before, and no one has been more resilient and works harder than him." FRIES HEADED TO MINNESOTA Like Godwin, former Penn State of- fensive lineman Will Fries earned a big payday despite coming off a season- ending injury. Fries, who will be entering his fifth pro season in 2025, signed a five-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings worth $88 million. Prior to his signing, he was described by ESPN writer Jeremy Fowler as "one of the top interior line- men on the market." NFL.com ranked the former Nittany Lion as the No. 17 overall free agent available, regardless of position, while Pro Football Focus listed him at No. 28 overall. A second-team All-Big Ten lineman for PSU as a senior, Fries was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2021 draft. After playing in just three games as a rookie, he started nine games in 2022 and all 17 the following year for the Colts. Fries started the first five games of the 2024 season, too, before suffer- ing a fractured tibia in Week 5 against Jacksonville. He underwent immediate surgery and did not play again for the Colts. Prior to his injury, he had earned an 86.8 offensive grade from PFF on 268 snaps at right guard. OTHER NITTANY LIONS IN FREE AGENCY The former Penn State players in this year's free agent pool include run- ning back Miles Sanders, defensive tackles Kevin Givens and Austin John- son, receivers Allen Robinson and Dan Chisena, safeties Adrian Amos and Nick Scott, cornerback Amani Oruwariye, linebacker Cam Brown and tight end Juwan Johnson. Sanders landed with the Dallas Cow- boys on a one-year deal after being re- leased by Carolina in March. He had signed a four-year contract with the Panthers in 2023 but gained only 637 yards in his two seasons with the team. Johnson re-signed with New Orleans, inking a three-year deal that could be worth as much as $34.5 million, with $21.25 million guaranteed. Johnson, who finished his college career at Or- egon, caught 50 passes for 548 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Saints last season. Givens re-signed for one year with San Francisco, where he has spent the past six seasons, while Chisena and Scott inked a one-year deals with Caro- lina. ■ Veteran receiver Chris Godwin opted to remain with Tampa Bay, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2017. His new three-year deal will pay him $66 million, with $45 million guaranteed. PHOTO COURTESY TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS