The Buffalo Bills won’t have to search high and low for a new starting center once free agency begins early new week. ESPN senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that center Connor McGovern has “reached agreement on a four-year, $52 million deal that includes $32 million guaranteed. The move prevents McGovern from reaching free agency, thus retaining a key starter for years to come in front of quarterback Josh Allen.
Alongside starting left guard David Edwards, McGovern’s future with the Bills was cloudy thanks to the likelihood of cashing as a free agent following a productive starting tenure. President of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane made McGovern a top priority, likely due to his relationship at center with Allen, and also his consistent high level of play.
Short of the full details of McGovern’s deal, the timing of this agreement is perhaps the most interesting thing at the moment. That’s simply because we don’t yet know if Buffalo’s front office and McGovern managed to push back the February 16 void date within the terms of his prior contract. That void, if not attended to last month, would instead mature as a $4.8 million dead-cap hit for 2026 in addition to his new deal.
A third-round pick (90 overall) who landed with the Dallas Cowboys during the 2019 NFL Draft, McGovern first landed with the Bills by agreeing to a three-year contract with the club during free agency ahead of the 2023 NFL season. Since that point, McGovern has gone on to start 49 games at center in the regular season and seven playoff games, while earning Pro Bowl honors for his play during the 2024 NFL season.
