Bills center Connor McGovern agrees to four-year, $52 million deal: Source - The Athletic

McGovern will be a hot commodity on the open market.

The Buffalo Bills and center Connor McGovern have agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal that will keep him off the free agent market, according to league sources.

McGovern, 28, was the second-best center and ranked No. 22 on The Athletic's free agent list.He would be a popular commodity on the open market.Several clubs are in need of a center, and Tuesday's surprise retirement of 27-year-old Chicago Bears center Drew Dahlman raised the stakes.

Keeping McGovern is huge for Buffalo's offensive line, which will go through a transition regardless.Over the past three seasons, starters have missed just five games due to injuries, barring 2024 MVP Josh Allen and 2025 champion James Cook.But with the retirement of beloved offensive line coach Aaron Kromer and expiring contracts for McGovern and left guard David Edwards, stability was threatened for the upcoming season.

McGovern joined the Bills in 2023 after three seasons at the defensive end with the Dallas Cowboys.He stayed on the left wing for a season and then moved to center when captain Mitch Morse left as a free agent.

McGovern is durable and among the NFL's best pass-blocking centers.Plus, Allen won't have to worry about developing chemistry with the new football delivery system.

Buffalo last month re-signed versatile backup Alec Anderson, who had been McGovern's backup on the depth chart, but many expected 2024 fifth-round pick Cedric Van Pran-Granger to have the best chance to take over if McGovern left.Right now, Anderson looks like Edwards' replacement at left guard.

The rest of the O-line remains intact, with left tackle Dion Dawkins, right tackle O'Cyrus Torrence and right tackle Spencer Brown under contract.— Bills writer Tim Graham

McGovern's reluctance was rooted in Buffalo's poor financial condition.

"This is a business," McGovern said Tuesday. "I'm not going to hold back. I want to go back to Buffalo and I know they want me back. But sometimes you have to look in the mirror and face the facts."

"Can we chase money somewhere, or maybe draft a young player to save money? The truth is they are against the cap."

This development likely means the Bills will not return Edwards, who is ranked No. 34 in The Athletic's free agent rankings.Head football coach Brandon Beane spent much of this week freeing up 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 submitted by 4 p.m.Wednesday.— Bills writer Tim Graham