NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said they are interested in signing WR Chris Godwin to a long-term extension but have not begun contract negotiations. 

“First of all, we love Chris,’‘ Licht said, via the Tampa Bay Times. “Everybody and anybody in the organization can tell you that Chris is a huge piece of this team and Chris is an impact player at the position. I’ve personally told Chris we want him to be here long-term and be a Buccaneer for life. In terms of when that happens? I can’t tell you right now when those talks will officially begin. But I do know that he is in our plans for the long-term.”

While Licht feels Buccaneers’ second-year K Matt Gay has a “big upside,” he said they intend on adding competition for him at kicker this offseason.  

“We feel Matt is going to be better this year,” Licht said. “We feel Matt has a big upside. But we’re definitely planning on adding competition. When we address that, I can’t tell you right now.”

Licht added that signing a kicker is a “little complex” given they cannot bring in players for workouts or physicals due to COVID-19 regulations. 

“It’s a little complex without being able to just bring in guys for workouts and physicals which are very important, especially at that position. But we do plan to address that, bringing in another kicker to have strong competition for Matt.”

• The Buccaneers claimed kicker Elliott Fry off waivers from the Panthers. (NFLTR)

Falcons

Falcons LT Jake Matthews says they’re hoping to have better continuity as an offensive line unit in 2020. 

“Man, I’m such a perfectionist that there’s always some stuff that I want to get better at,” Matthews said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I want to be able to run the ball better as an offensive line. I think that is just going to come with time with younger guys, learning how to play with each other. . . .

“There are a lot of things I want improve on, as a group we can improve on. But I know that we’ve got all of the right pieces to make that happen.”

Panthers

• Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic takes a look at six of the Panthers’ undrafted free agents she believes have a good shot at making the active roster. 
• Rodrigue’s list includes WR Omar Bayless, LB Jordan Mack, LB Chris Orr, TE Cam Sutton, G Sam Tecklenburg and G Mike Horton