Trending Now - Connor Mcgovern Anticipates Departure From Bills Team
WHO:
Connor McGovern, offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills
Brandon Beane, Bills football boss
Tim Graham, journalist from TheAthletic.com
Tyler Linderbaum, center for the Baltimore Ravens
Drew Dalman, center for the Chicago Bears
Joe Brady, new head coach of the Bills
Aaron Kromer, former offensive line coach of the Bills
Austin Gund, assistant offensive line coach of the Bills
David Edwards, left guard for the Bills
WHAT:
McGovern expects to leave the Bills and believes his tenure with the team is "over and done."
He has not been contacted by the Bills since postseason exit interviews.
McGovern is ranked No. 30 on PFT’s list of top free agents for 2026.
He started at guard in 2023 and switched to center in 2024.
McGovern signed a three-year contract worth $22.35 million with the Bills.
He has earned approximately $28 million over his career.
McGovern is considered the second-best free agent center after Tyler Linderbaum.
Spotrac estimates McGovern’s average annual market value at $16.3 million.
WHERE:
Buffalo, New York (home of the Bills)
Orchard Park, New York (location of postseason exit interviews)
Rosemary Beach, Florida (McGovern's offseason home)
WHEN:
McGovern's comments were made on March 4, 2026, one week before NFL free agency begins.
He played for the Bills from 2023 to 2026.
McGovern was with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2022.
The Bills lost to the Denver Broncos in the playoffs in January 2026.
McGovern suffered a right hand injury in Week 5 of the 2025 season.
He tore his left triceps in Week 13 of the 2025 season.
The Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott in early 2026.
WHY:
McGovern's expectation of leaving the Bills is influenced by a lack of communication from the team and the need for the Bills to become salary-cap compliant.
He acknowledges the business aspect of football and the potential for the team to prioritize younger players or save money.
HOW:
McGovern dealt with injuries through physical therapy, including needle treatments and manual therapy.
He expressed a willingness to switch back to guard if compensated appropriately.
Connor McGovern, the offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills, has stated that he expects to leave the team, feeling that his time in Buffalo is "over and done," especially after not hearing from the organization since the postseason exit interviews. Ranked as the second-best free agent center behind Tyler Linderbaum, McGovern has a solid career behind him, having signed a three-year contract worth $22.35 million with the Bills and earning around $28 million overall, but he acknowledges the team's need to become salary-cap compliant may influence their decisions. As NFL free agency approaches next week, McGovern remains open to returning to guard if the compensation is right, reflecting on the business side of football and the potential for the Bills to prioritize younger talent.