With Connor McGovern set to hit Free Agency on March 11, he's revealed that the Buffalo Bills haven't reached out to him once this offseason about coming back.
It seems like Connor McGovern's time with the Buffalo Bills is really coming to an end.
The 28-year-old offensive lineman has spent the last three seasons with the Bills, coming over from the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. In the three years in Buffalo, McGovern not only became one of the team's best offensive linemen, but one of the better centers in the NFL.
Now, he appears poised to continue his career elsewhere. And it's not entirely by his choice.
In a new story from Tim Graham at The Athletic, McGovern says he wants to be back with the Bills, but has come to terms that it's likely not happening.
"It is a business," McGovern told Graham. "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."
The realism comes from the fact that McGovern is going to be a highly sought-after player when free agency opens next week. And with that come contract prices that the Bills, at this time, can't afford.
According to Spotrac, McGovern is looking at a market value of $16.3 million. And with several teams looking for a center, there's a chance his actual contract could be higher than the expected market value.
That said, McGovern made it clear he doesn't need to be the highest paid player to sign.
"Do I need all the money in the world? No, but there’s a respect factor involved, too," he said. "There’s a certain number in my head that I would have no problem accepting, and then I don’t need to go to free agency. If they come to the number that me and my wife are comfortable with, I would gladly say yes and not talk to anybody else."
Are the Bills willing to talk about that number? That's unclear, especially when they haven't even spoken with McGovern lately.
According to McGovern, the last time he or his agent spoke with the team was at his exit interview at the end of the season. Since then, it's been silent from general manager Brandon Beane.
"They haven’t contacted me once," he said. "In my gut, that says it’s over and done."
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