The Buffalo Bills and center Connor McGovern have agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal, per league sources, keeping him off the free-agent market.
Things happen fast in the NFL. Four days after McGovern told The Athletic that he hadn’t been contacted by the Bills since his exit interview and saying “In my gut, that says it’s over and done” in Buffalo, the club found common ground.
McGovern, 28, was the second-best center and ranked No. 22 overall on The Athletic’s free agent list. He would have been a hot commodity on the open market. Several clubs need a center, and the surprising retirement of 27-year-old Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman on Tuesday raised the stakes.
Keeping McGovern is massive for Buffalo’s offensive line, which will go through a transition regardless. Over the past three seasons, the starters have missed only five games to injury, blocking for 2024 MVP Josh Allen and 2025 rushing champ James Cook. But with the retirement of beloved offensive line coach Aaron Kromer and contracts expiring for McGovern and left guard David Edwards, that stability was threatened for the upcoming season.
McGovern joined the Bills in 2023 after three seasons at guard for the Dallas Cowboys. He remained at left guard for one season and then shifted to center when captain Mitch Morse departed as a free agent.
Roster impact
McGovern is durable and among the NFL’s top pass-blocking centers. Plus, Allen won’t need to worry about developing chemistry with a new football delivery system.
Last month, Buffalo re-signed versatile backup lineman Alec Anderson, who was McGovern’s backup on the depth chart, but many expected 2024 fifth-round pick Sedrick Van Pran-Granger to have the best opportunity to take over if McGovern left. At the moment, Anderson looks like Edwards’ replacement at left guard.
The rest of the O-line remains intact, with left tackle Dion Dawkins, right guard O’Cyrus Torrence and right tackle Spencer Brown all under contract. – Tim Graham, Bills writer
Cap update
McGovern’s pessimism was rooted in Buffalo’s dicey financial situation.
“It is a business,” McGovern said Tuesday. “I’m never going to take it personally. I want to be back in Buffalo, and I know they want me back. But sometimes you’ve got to look in the mirror and be realistic.
“Could we sacrifice money at one spot, or maybe draft somebody younger to save some money? The reality is they’re up against the cap.”
The development likely means the Bills won’t bring back Edwards, No. 34 in The Athletic’s free agent rankings. Football boss Brandon Beane has spent much of his time this week clearing cap space by releasing receiver Curtis Samuel and defensive backs Taron Johnson, Taylor Rapp and Dane Jackson.
Before McGovern re-signed, sports contract database Spotrac had the Bills about $13.6 million over the salary cap. Teams must be compliant by 4 p.m. Wednesday. — Tim Graham, Bills writer
