Star wide receiver Chris Godwin was “really close” to joining the New England Patriots, but he stayed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers instead this week on a three-year, $66 million deal.

New England’s league-best salary cap situation at the time wasn’t enough to lure Godwin north for more money. Godwin will instead continue where he started his career, and the Patriots went for Mack Hollins in free agency instead.

“I think, what it boiled down to, honestly, was family and just staying true to who I am,” Godwin told reporters on Tuesday. “I feel like nine out of 10 people in this position wouldn’t necessarily have made the decision that I did, but I don’t do the things that I do based on what other people would do.”

“I trust my gut and I stay true to who I am,” Godwin continued. “One thing I’ve never done is made any decisions solely based on the money. I think I’m fortunate enough to be in this position and to be here at this table again.”

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel dismissed talk about Godwin on Thursday. The Patriots have a talented young quarterback in Drake Maye, but he didn’t have any receivers go over 66 receptions, 631 yards, and three touchdowns individually in 2024. Hollins, a former Buffalo Bills receiver, will at least give Maye a boost after a 2024 season where the 31-year-old veteran caught 31 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns from Josh Allen.

“Yeah, I’m not going to talk about any of the players other than the ones that are right here and the ones that are currently on our football team,” Vrabel told reporters.

Vrabel didn’t want to create excessive urgency over missing out on star receivers in early free agency. He highlighted that they will “explore every option” and then there’s the draft in April.

“There’s just a lot of time,” he said.