GENERAL MANAGER JASON LICHT & WIDE RECEIVER CHRIS GODWIN

(Opening statement)

Jason Licht (JL): "Well, this is different. Had to dust off the sport coat, and what better person to do it for than for Chris, here. We're obviously really excited today with Chris back in the fold with us. I said back at the combine, I know I speak for everybody here, that I can't imagine a Buccaneers' team, or offense, without Chris. Just elated that he's back. We've had a few conversations since, caught up over the weekend a little bit. He and Mariah are super excited, but we are equally excited that they're back here with us and look forward to bigger and better things in the future."

(Opening statement)

Chris Godwin (CG): "Honestly, I'm just grateful. From the time that we got here, Mariah and I have loved to call Tampa our home. I've met some tremendous people within this organization and have great relationships with everybody. So, I couldn't be more thrilled to be back at this for another three years and do what we are all here for – which is to chase a ring. I'm excited to get back to work, excited to get back with my guys. Just happy and thrilled. Very blessed."

(On accomplishing his goals of getting drafted, winning a Super Bowl, and now signing his second contract)

CG: "It's unbelievable. We've spent the last couple of days talking about what all of it means, and just trying to process everything. For me to be a child, to kind of see these things and to kind of dream these things, and for all of them to come to fruition, it's kind of surreal. I'm still processing. But it's crazy, to have a vision, to put the time in, put the work in, and for things to go the right way. I've met some incredible people along the way, that have helped and poured into me. For me to be here is a testament to what hard work can do for you, what being a good person does for you. Hopefully, I can be someone that, like when I was a kid, I would look up to. Hopefully, I can be there for someone else."

(On if he'd be in awe if his younger self could see him now)

CG: "That is a fact, that is a fact. It's a testament to hard work, dedication, and being a good person. All those things matter. Those are some of the things I'm most proud of. Being a hard worker and being a good person. Those are things that I can control, and those are the same things that I'm going to continue to do. Continue to go to work, continue to be a great person, and just try to impact the people around me."

(On where he is physically after tearing his ACL and when he will start football activities)

CG: "I'm doing really well in my recovery. I'm very pleased with this process so far. Obviously, it's a long one. So, can't really project too far into the future. I just try to take it day-by-day, just like I have with my entire career. But, I like where I'm at right now. I'm feeling confident about this season, I'm excited that we're getting a lot of the guys back. It's a long road here, and I'm ready to be a part of the whole thing."

(On having to miss the playoffs due to injury)

CG: "It was incredibly tough. It was such a weird feeling to watch the game, especially from the [Injured Reserve] booth. Especially the way that things ended, I couldn't help but feel that I could've had an impact to help change the outcome of that. But, you can't really control the things that happen to you. All you can do is control your response to it, and that's how I've kind of approached this whole thing. Each day, I just take it one day at a time and focus on the task at hand. That's gotten me to this point, so there was no point in me ever changing. That's just kind of where my head is. I miss being out there, but I'm going to be back soon."

(On his belief that he would ultimately end up re-signing)

CG: "I definitely wanted to. It was hard for myself or Mariah to see us anywhere else, especially at this juncture. We love it here, and that was a priority for us. So, we couldn't be more happy that we're back."

(On the surge of positive energy flowing through team since Tom Brady's decision to return for his 23rd season)

CG: "This last week has been a whirlwind for a lot of people. But, I think it just restores faith in the Bucs' fanbase that we're back, man. We're not laying down for anybody, we're coming back to try and make it back to the top of the mountain. You need great players, you need great people to do that. Obviously, bringing Tom back was a huge piece. But, bringing back Ryan [Jensen], CD (Carlton Davis), and myself by re-signing, those are going to be key pieces to our success this year. Hopefully, we've got a lot more pieces coming. But, I'm confident in our staff and in our organization to put together a great team like we've been the past couple of years."

(On how he found out that Tom Brady was returning for his 23rd season)

CG: "He had texted me and Mike [Evans] - we have a small, little group chat that we hit sometimes. He texted us probably 20 minutes before and said, 'Just so y'all know, I'm coming back and I'm excited for another year.' Mike and I were gased up, we were like, 'What are you talking about, you're coming back? You just retired.' But, it's hard to walk away from the game. Especially, when you're as dedicated to it as Tom is. I would say I'm surprised, but I know him, I know what this game means to him, and I know how his family feels about it. I'm just happy that he's making the decisions that he wants to make, and I'm happy he gets to come back and throw us more passes."

(On the swing of emotions this offseason between his injury, Tom's decision, and free agency)

CG: "It was definitely a whirlwind of emotions. There was a lot of uncertainty at different points, and sometimes it leaves you questioning why things happen. Like I said earlier, you can't control what happens to you, you can just control your personal response to it and how you choose to go about it. Once I settled in with that idea, it made the rest of it a lot easier because I'm not really concerned with exterior stuff. I worry about what I do on a day-to-day. So, when Tom comes back, and I get [franchise] tagged and eventually signed, now everything feels like it's coming together. But, I'm still doing what I've always been doing."

(On if he spoke to Tom Brady about Brady's previous ACL injury)

CG: "We talked a little bit, But, we play a different position and everybody's recovery is different. We're all different people, we all respond differently. I think the best advice that I've gotten, from him and other people, is just attack it like you attack anything else and that's what I'm going to do. I don't know any other way. I'm just thrilled to be back, thrilled to be healing. You kind of take for granted sometimes some of the little stuff – the walking, riding bikes, and doing athletic movements. Now, I get to re-find that joy in those things."

(On signing WR Russell Gage)

CG: "As soon as we signed him, I told Mariah, 'That's a great signing. That's a great pick-up.' I feel like the last couple of years anytime we play them, me and Mike will be on the sidelines talking, 'Yo, I feel like Russell Gage is nice. I feel like he's not getting the love that he should.' He runs good routes, he's a tough player. You know he's going to give you effort. So, I'm thrilled to have him aboard. I think he's going to be a huge addition for us, I think people kind of sleep on him. But, I think he'll fit right in with the group."

(On how Tom Brady coming back has affected his ability to sign and re-sign players)

JL: "Well, it certainly helped. When you have a player like Tom, who's the greatest quarterback of all-time, if not player, players want to play with a guy like that. So, it certainly helped, I can't lie. We've got the ultimate cheat code with Tom. So, we're going to take advantage of it while we have it. I think players like it here, regardless. But, having a player like that throwing the ball to them, or even being on the other side of the ball knowing that he's your quarterback, it certainly helps."

(On adding to the wide receiver room after signing Russell Gage and re-signing Chris Godwin)
JL: "Just have to see how it goes. We like all of our players right now. We think we have a great outstanding group – that's an understatement – led by Mike [Evans] and Chris. Not just really great players but great people, and I think that has a lot to do with the success that they have and success of our team. Chris is somebody – along with a lot of other players, [but] since Chris is sitting up here – he's been a role model to a lot of the fan base, kids, my kids. The way that he works. The person that he is. That's the kind of player we want to bring in and we use him as an example when we talk about players in the draft. Chris is one of those guys that we want to keep bringing in players like him."

(On his goal of when he would like to return to play)

CG: "I don't have one in mind quite yet. Thankfully this is my only time now going through this. I'm not really sure what those kind of timelines look like. I just try to take it a day at a time. It's a long process and I feel like when you start projecting real far in the future it can be a bit daunting. [I'm] trying to keep my positivity. Trying to enjoy where I'm at now and enjoy the little victories."

(On if he had any worry about what the future was going to be without QB Tom Brady)
JL: "Well, in this business you have to be ready to expect the unexpected, but you also have to have plans either way. There was nothing I could do about it at that point. We had a lot of faith in thinking that he might change his mind, that he might come back, but we had to have plans either way. Now when he decided that he was going to un-retire, we had several conversations – myself and Bruce [Arians] were a major part of that. There was a sense that it could happen but didn't have any definites until later on, probably around the same time Chris [Godwin] heard [and] got his text message. I had talked to him, and Bruce knew he was going to put a statement out. That was a great day, just like today is a great day."

(On his reaction when Brady called)

JL: "A sense of relief. We were all excited. I think probably the same like any fan here has been and any person on staff here. We're all very excited. Why wouldn't you be?"

(On the factors that led to Brady wanting to play again)

JL: "Not one thing in particular. We've had so many conversations over the course of the year. [Him], Bruce, myself, coaches – we all see eye-to-eye. We know a good player when we see one. We know what it's going to take, so didn't really have to talk through that with him. Just speaking from experience what we've done the last couple years with the roster. I think he knew that wasn't anything he needed to worry about."

(On what was the harder recruiting sell, getting Tom Brady to come to Tampa or getting him to unretire)

JL: "Well, he chose us initially. And he saw players like Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin], and I could go on and on with the great players we have on defense. He saw this was a place where he had a chance to win, so that wasn't much recruiting as it was thankful that he did chose us. It showed that my staff and our staffs have done a great job putting a team together. This one was kind of sitting and waiting, giving him his time to think things through. And having patience – patience can be a tough thing to go through sometimes, but we got through it and came out on a positive note."

(On salary cap challenges)

JL: "It's always challenging for any team. It certainly helped with Chris and some other moves that we've done. We were prepared to go some other routes if we had to. I'm glad Chris and Mariah decided to sign the contract, but we obviously did not want to put any pressure on them as well. We wanted to have Chris make a great decision, which he did. There [are] always challenges."

(On reported friction between Tom Brady and Bruce Arians)

JL: "I mean probably you'd be surprised we didn't talk about it much. You can't believe everything you hear and see and read. There's always going to be some friction between people on a staff and players and a coach. It's just normal. And like you said, it can be healthy. We didn't really think much about it."

(On if keeping an open line of communication helps with the friction)

JL: "Absolutely. And he (Tom Brady) has loved his time here. And he's told me that several times. Open communication is great thing."

(On G Shaq Mason)

JL: "Shaq's been a good player for a long time. He played well versus us. We watched all the tape from the last couple years and we saw a very consistent player – one that we would love to have here. Right before I agreed with the trade, I reached out to Tom – and that's normal to do with a player that's played with someone, not just Tom, but any player that's played with a player that you're thinking about trading – the reports were outstanding, so it made me feel better about the situation and made me feel good about doing it."

(On when he asked QB Tom Brady about Mason)

JL: "Well, we had not completed the trade yet, but when I was in talks."

(On if Brady's trip to Manchester was planned before his unretirement announcement)

JL: "I don't know exactly. I know that trip had been planned out for quite some time. Tom's a planner. He's very detailed – doesn't do anything on a whim."

(On Brady making sure Chris Godwin re-signed)

JL: "He wants great players. He wants great players around him. He and Chris, he and Mike [Evans] – that's just the receiver room. But all of our players, and Chris can attest to this, he [has] a great relationship with all of them. He didn't want to see a player like Chris go, I'm sure."

(On if there has been a sense of loyalty from both sides during his time in Tampa Bay)

CG: "I would say that's true. Since I've been here I would say we've had a great working relationship. Like I said, I have a great relationship with everyone in the building and I think it's just being a good guy and treating people with respect. On top of that fact that they know the kind of worker I am. They know I'm about my business and I want to do whatever I can to help the team win, and more than anything I want to be out there with my guys. Regardless of the fact that I got injured, I'm going to put the work in. Like you said, I think there is a level of trust going both ways and a level of respect. I'm glad we were able to get the deal done. Happy to be back in Tampa – just ready to get to work."

(On being active bringing in new faces during free agency)

JL: "We're extremely happy with the work that we did last week. It's another week this week. Chris [Godwin] talks about taking it day-by-day, but during free agency sometimes it's hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute. We're happy right now. We're going to continue to try to add some pieces here and continue talks with our players and some other players and see what we can do."

(On potentially extending Tom Brady to free up additional cap space)

JL: "We have some work to do, and we've got some plans. There's several ways to go about it, but I don't want to get into too much of what we're doing. We've got several alternatives that we can do, and we're confident that we'll be able to get it done."

(On if it will be more than one year with Brady)

JL: "We'll get to that when we get to it. Right now we're focused on what we have and what we need to do in the next few days"

(On S Logan Ryan and if he reached out to Tom Brady about him)

JL: "He [has] some versatility that's for sure. He has played slot in the past. It's always good to have guys that can move around back there. We talked to Logan two years ago in free agency. We were in talks with his agents and for whatever reason it didn't work out that year. So we've had plenty of discussions over the last couple of years about Logan. It really wasn't needed. We know what kind of guy he is and what kind of player he is, and we're excited to have him."

(On the chance RB Leonard Fournette returns)

JL: "I'd say that we'll continue talks with a lot of our players, and we'll do the best we can. We would love to have Leonard back."

-BUCCANEERS-