Buccaneers claimed to have most overpaid wide receiver and tight end in NFL

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to work out a contract extension issue with Vita Vea, and also have a bit of a problem when it comes to signing Baker Mayfield long-term. They also just lost Mike Evans this offseason in free agency.

It's fair to have concerns about this Buccaneers team's cap space situation. Part of the reason why it might be an issue is potentially due to two players: one wide receiver and one tight end.

CBS Sports' Garrett Podell called two players, WR Chris Godwin and TE Cade Otton, the most "overpaid" players at their respective positions in the NFL right now. Their combined $96 million contracts are potentially proving to be a big issue for the team.

Chris Godwin and Cade Otton are NFL's most overpaid players at their positions

WR: Chris Godwin, $66 million over 3 years

"Chris Godwin's three-year, $66 million extension is aging like spoiled milk," Podell writes. "... He is set to make a whopping $22 million in guaranteed salary this season and, barring a miraculous turnaround in his age-30 season, Godwin won't be playing out the final year of his deal in 2027 when Tampa Bay can save $13.7 million by releasing him."

Godwin's contract is certainly a bad one, as $66 million over three years is a lot of money, and his production has not warranted such a massive deal in the last few years.

MORE: Cowboys sign 8-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, 2-time Super Bowl champion Von Miller

He played in seven games in 2024, posting 576 yards and five touchdowns on 50 receptions. Last season, in nine games, he caught 33 of 51 targets for 360 yards and two touchdowns.

The three years before his $66 million deal, he had at least 1,023 receiving yards and 83 receptions. He was worth such a huge payday in the moment, but has since made the $66 million deal look like a huge mistake.

Others could be argued as larger overpays, like DK Metcalf at $131.9M from the Pittsburgh Steelers, or especially Brandon Aiyuk at $120M from the San Francisco 49ers.

But Podell went with Godwin as the most overpaid WR in the NFL. It might be a bit of a sleeper pick, but considering how little production he's provided the last few seasons relative to expectations, it's not that far-fetched to call it the biggest overpay at WR.

TE: Cade Otton, $30 million over 3 years

"Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton's extension kicks in this season, but the Buccaneers are still awaiting a breakout from the 27-year-old," Podell writes.

This $30 million deal for Otton, with $20 million guaranteed, officially starts during the 2026 season. He is under contract for the next three years and will be a free agent after the 2028 season.

Otton has been a little underwhelming, coming off a 59-catch, 572 yard and one-touchdown season for the Buccaneers. Even while Evans and Godwin missed a lot of time,

But there's still a chance that Otton breaks out this season, and his $30 million deal doesn't look so bad. Calling this $30M deal over three years, with an easy out after year two of this extension, is a little odd.

MORE: Will George Kittle be ready for Week 1? 49ers TE explains why he has 'chance' to play vs. Rams

He's got the NFL's 12th-largest contract for a tight end, right behind Juwan Johnson and ahead of Chigozeim Okonkwo. Is he the 12th-ranked tight end in the league right now? Probably not.

But even with the difference in payday, looking at some of the other tight ends, it's a little odd to call him the most overpaid TE in the NFL.

Evan Engram is only making $23M, but it's a two-year deal, and he's a lot less impactful than Otton despite making $1.5 million more per season.

Brenton Strange has similar production to Otton, and he's making $36M over three years. Isaiah Likely is getting $40 million from the New York Giants on a three-year deal.

Buccaneers said to have most overpaid WR and TE in NFL

Otton is making a lot of money, but calling him the most overpaid tight end in the NFL might be going a step too far. Besides, he could be primed for a big 2026 season, which would certainly make his $30M three-year deal not look nearly as bad.

Godwin is also making more than he should for his production the last few years, but overall, his $66 million deal over three seasons isn't so bad that it should be the biggest overpay in the league.

MORE: Ja'Kobi Lane's breakout might be real after impressive Ravens preseason debut

Zay Flowers and his $140 million deal could be reasonably argued as the biggest overpay for a WR, and that was signed this offseason. There are plenty of others who could arguably be considered a bigger overpay than Godwin this upcoming season.

Neither of these contracts is great; there's no denying that. But effectively calling them the worst in the NFL at their respective positions by saying they're the biggest overpays is probably a step too far.

More NFL news:

• Vikings lose Jamal Adams to brutal season-ending injury
• Jeremiyah Love injury updates: Latest news on Cardinals rookie RB dealing with preseason ankle injury
• Eagles might've already found their Lane Johnson heir after 6-foot-9 rookie Markell Bell
• Seahawks 2nd-round S Bud Clark gets bad news on starting job for Week 1
• Browns' Shedeur Sanders explains bad turnover against Bears