Bills Face Tough Decisions on Key Free Agents

Retaining offensive line starters could impact Josh Allen and Buffalo's Super Bowl aspirations.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Buffalo Bills are in their Super Bowl window, largely due to the play of star quarterback Josh Allen. However, the team faces a critical offseason with two key offensive linemen, center Connor McGovern and guard David Edwards, set to hit free agency. Retaining both players could be costly, with their market values estimated at over $16 million and $20 million per year respectively. The Bills must decide how to allocate their salary cap resources, as they also need to find a top receiving weapon for Allen. General manager Brandon Beane will be under pressure to navigate these difficult decisions and keep the Bills' Super Bowl-caliber roster intact.

Why it matters

The Bills' offensive line has been a key part of their success, providing strong protection for Josh Allen and opening holes in the running game. Losing both McGovern and Edwards could significantly weaken that unit and impact the team's ability to compete for a championship in 2026. How Beane manages the team's salary cap and free agency will be crucial in determining the Bills' outlook for the upcoming season.

The details

Center Connor McGovern and guard David Edwards are both set to become free agents this offseason. McGovern's market value is estimated at $16.3 million per year, while Edwards' is nearly $20 million per year. Retaining both players could eat up a significant portion of the Bills' salary cap, leaving less room to address other needs such as finding a top receiving threat for Josh Allen.

  • The 2026 NFL free agency period begins on March 13, 2026.

The players

Josh Allen

The star quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, who is coming off another strong regular season and is viewed as a key reason the team is considered a Super Bowl contender.

Connor McGovern

The Bills' starting center, who is set to become a free agent with a market value estimated at $16.3 million per year.

David Edwards

The Bills' starting guard, who is set to become a free agent with a market value estimated at nearly $20 million per year.

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills, who will be tasked with navigating the team's critical offseason decisions.

Joe Brady

The new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who will be tasked with leading the team's offense and helping Josh Allen continue to develop.

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What they’re saying

“The Bills need a No. 1 weapon for Allen, which won't be cheap, and then we add in McGovern and Edwards. Suddenly, that is a lot of salary cap room that will need to be made if Beane wants to make all three moves happen.”

— Adam Schultz, Author (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

The Bills will need to make decisions on whether to re-sign Connor McGovern and David Edwards before the start of free agency on March 13, 2026.

The takeaway

The Bills' offseason decisions on their offensive line and finding a top receiving weapon for Josh Allen will be crucial in determining the team's Super Bowl aspirations in 2026. General manager Brandon Beane will be under significant pressure to navigate these difficult salary cap decisions and keep the Bills' roster competitive.