Lead: Connor McGovern, a steady presence on the Buffalo Bills’ offensive line for the past three seasons, told The Athletic he does not expect to re-sign with the team and anticipates wearing a different uniform in 2026. McGovern said the Bills have not contacted him since the club’s playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, a lapse that has shaped his expectations. He told Tim Graham he would like to stay in Buffalo and thinks the team would re-sign him in an ideal world, but acknowledged the need to be realistic. The center — previously a guard in 2023 — is preparing for free agency amid a crowded market at his position.
Key Takeaways
- McGovern has been a regular starter for Buffalo for three seasons (started at guard in 2023, moved to center for the last two seasons).
- He told Tim Graham of The Athletic that the Bills “haven’t contacted me once,” and he interprets that silence as a sign they may not re-sign him.
- ProFootballTalk ranks McGovern No. 30 on its list of this year’s top free agents, marking him as a notable but not elite target in the market.
- Tyler Linderbaum, the former Ravens first-round pick, is widely considered the top center expected to reach free agency next week, which will shape demand and pricing for centers.
- McGovern could attract multiple suitors among teams that will not land Linderbaum, especially clubs seeking an experienced interior starter on shorter-term deals.
Background
Connor McGovern entered Buffalo’s starting rotation after joining the team ahead of the 2023 season and initially started at guard before shifting to center for the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. His versatility on the interior line — experience at both guard and center — has increased his value to teams that prize protection and continuity for their quarterbacks. The Bills’ offensive-front decisions are shaped by salary-cap calculations, roster needs, and the availability of top-tier centers in free agency.
The 2026 center market is unusually consequential because Tyler Linderbaum, a former first-round pick, is viewed as the top available center, drawing considerable attention and likely commanding premium offers. Teams that cannot or will not sign Linderbaum will pursue experienced alternatives like McGovern, who offers starting experience and familiarity with multiple interior roles. Buffalo’s own priorities — whether to retain continuity, prioritize younger players, or allocate cap space elsewhere — will determine whether McGovern returns.
Main Event
The central development is McGovern’s candid assessment in an interview with Tim Graham: despite a desire to stay, he said he does not expect to re-sign with the Bills because the team has not reached out since its playoff defeat to the Broncos. He framed his outlook succinctly: while an ideal scenario would keep him in Buffalo, the absence of communication has led him to prepare for free agency. That playoff loss, and the period of post-season roster evaluation that followed, appears to have yielded no direct contract talks between McGovern and the Bills.
On the field, McGovern has been a fixture on Buffalo’s interior line for three seasons, offering a reliable starter’s profile rather than a splashy free-agent resume. He moved from guard (2023) to center (2024–2025), which broadened his appeal to teams seeking immediate starter-level competence at the most communication-intensive offensive line spot. With Linderbaum perceived as the marquee center available, McGovern is positioned as a second-tier but proven option in the market.
The practical outcome is that McGovern is preparing to test free agency, anticipating offers from clubs that need a plug-and-play interior lineman but are unlikely to win a bidding war for Linderbaum. His public comments — especially the direct line that the Bills “haven’t contacted me once” — underline a gap between player expectation and team action that commonly precedes a change of scenery in the NFL.
Analysis & Implications
For the Bills, letting McGovern walk would be a calculated decision. Buffalo must weigh the value of retaining a versatile interior lineman against potential savings or the opportunity to invest in younger, longer-term pieces. If Buffalo chooses not to re-sign McGovern, the team likely believes it can replace his snaps internally or via a less costly free-agent signing or draft pick, or that it will prioritize other positions in the cap allocation for 2026.
For McGovern, entering free agency with starter-level experience at center and guard should generate interest from clubs that prioritize immediate line stability. Those teams typically include mid-tier playoff contenders and clubs in transition with starting quarterback needs. His ability to start immediately reduces the risk for suitors that need dependable interior play without a long ramp-up.
The presence of Tyler Linderbaum as the headline center available will compress the top of the market, potentially lowering the maximum offers for secondary targets like McGovern. However, competition among teams with mid-range cap flexibility could still produce multi-year or one-year incentive-laden contracts for McGovern. Ultimately, his market outcome will hinge on how teams value experience versus upside at the center position this offseason.
Comparison & Data
| Season | Team | Primary role |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Buffalo Bills | Guard (starter) |
| 2024 | Buffalo Bills | Center (starter) |
| 2025 | Buffalo Bills | Center (starter) |
This simple season-by-season breakdown shows McGovern’s positional shift from guard to center and confirms three consecutive seasons as a starter in Buffalo. The transition to center for the last two seasons is a key factor in his free-agency appeal: centers carry play-calling and snapping responsibilities that make proven starters especially valuable to teams seeking immediate line cohesion.
Reactions & Quotes
“They haven’t contacted me once.”
Connor McGovern (player interview with Tim Graham, The Athletic)
“I’d like to remain with the Bills…but sometimes you’ve got to look in the mirror and be realistic.”
Connor McGovern (player interview with Tim Graham, The Athletic)
“Listed No. 30 on PFT’s list of top free agents for the year.”
ProFootballTalk (media analysis)
McGovern’s direct comments framed the story: his expectation of departing Buffalo is driven less by anger than by the absence of contact. Media ranking (PFT) identifies him as a notable free agent but not among the small group at the top of the market, which informs likely salary and term expectations. Teams and agents will watch Linderbaum’s decision closely; his movement will cascade through the center market and affect McGovern’s negotiating leverage.
Unconfirmed
- Whether the Bills will make a formal contract offer to McGovern remains unconfirmed; there has been no public offer announced.
- The level of interest (number of teams and contract size) awaiting McGovern in free agency is not yet verified and will depend on market movement once other centers sign.
- Tyler Linderbaum’s final destination and contract details are not confirmed and will materially affect McGovern’s market.
Bottom Line
Connor McGovern’s public comments make it likely he will enter the 2026 free-agent market rather than re-sign with Buffalo, driven primarily by the Bills’ lack of contact after the playoff loss to Denver. His track record as a three-season starter and recent experience at center should attract teams seeking immediate interior line stability, though he is unlikely to command top-tier center money while Tyler Linderbaum is available.
For the Bills, the decision to retain or replace McGovern will reflect broader roster and cap priorities; for McGovern, free agency presents an opportunity to secure a starting role elsewhere. Observers should watch Linderbaum’s signing closely, as it will shape demand and pricing for McGovern and other centers in this free-agent class.