Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka reveals 'godsend' amid first NFL training camp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka previously mentioned how he quickly found mentors in quarterback Baker Mayfield and veteran wideout Sterling Shepard this past spring. 

Now participating in an NFL training camp for the first time, Egbuka spoke with reporters on Monday about how fellow receiver Chris Godwin Jr. is helping the first-round draft pick learn about life in the pros. 

"He's been an absolute godsend to me," Egbuka said about Godwin, per the Buccaneers' website. "On the sideline, staying in my ear constantly -- whether it's route-running, technique or blocking technique, savviness or learning the playbook, whatever the case may be. Even if it's just about life, I can ask him any question and I'm getting to know him personally as well. We're becoming really close friends, and I don't think I could've been drafted to a better team, better situation."

Godwin is spending the summer recovering from the dislocated left ankle, high ankle sprain, fractured fibula and torn deltoid that he suffered in October 2024. While he agreed to a three-year, $66M contract with $45M guaranteed to stay with the Buccaneers during the offseason, the fact that Tampa Bay made Egbuka the 19th selection of this year's draft understandably caused some to wonder what Godwin will and won't be this fall. 

It remains unclear if Godwin will be able to play in Tampa Bay's regular-season opener at the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7. 

Also on Monday, the Buccaneers reworked Mayfield's contract via a move that essentially guarantees he'll be with the organization through at least the 2026 season. As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Tampa Bay tied for seventh among the betting favorites at +1300 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. 

Egbuka becoming somewhat of a safety blanket for Mayfield could bolster a passing attack that may be without Godwin for up to four games if he begins September on the physically unable to perform list. According to the JoeBucsFan website, Godwin hasn't been wearing his practice jersey during training camp sessions. 

"It's coming along great," Egbuka said about building chemistry with Mayfield. "Obviously, he's a seasoned veteran and knows what he is talking about, so it's just about being on the same page with him. I think a lot of that chemistry comes from me knowing what I'm doing. Learning the playbook, knowing every spot so he can know that I'm going to be where I'm expected to be at any given moment and over time as he's watching film and we're watching film and we're creating that chemistry, he will be able to trust me more and more."