Bills Retain Pro Bowl Center Connor McGovern with $52M Deal

The four-year contract keeps one of the NFL's top pass-blocking centers in Buffalo.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement with center Connor McGovern on a four-year, $52 million contract, preventing the 28-year-old Pro Bowler from hitting free agency. The deal includes $32 million in guaranteed money and makes McGovern one of the highest-paid centers in the league.

Why it matters

Retaining McGovern is a major priority for the Bills as they look to build on their success and make another deep playoff run. As one of the top pass-blocking centers in the NFL, McGovern's presence is crucial for protecting quarterback Josh Allen and opening up the passing game.

The details

McGovern has played the past three seasons for the Bills after starting his career with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 and has started 49 regular-season games and 7 postseason games for Buffalo. The $13 million average annual salary in his new contract makes him one of the highest-paid centers in the league.

  • McGovern was set to become a free agent next week before signing the new deal.
  • He missed his rookie season in 2019 due to a pectoral injury but has been a full-time starter since 2022.

The players

Connor McGovern

A 28-year-old center who has been one of the top pass-blocking players at his position in the NFL over the past few seasons.

Josh Allen

The Bills' star quarterback whose pass protection will be bolstered by the retention of McGovern.

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What they’re saying

“Retaining Connor McGovern was a top priority for us this offseason. He's been a key part of our offensive line and we're thrilled to have him back on a long-term deal.”

— Brandon Beane, Bills General Manager (austinnews.net)

What’s next

With McGovern's contract extension in place, the Bills can now turn their attention to other key free agents and roster decisions as they look to build on their recent success and make another run at the Super Bowl.

The takeaway

The Bills' decision to retain one of the NFL's premier centers in Connor McGovern underscores their commitment to maintaining a strong offensive line and protecting their franchise quarterback Josh Allen. This move should pay dividends as the team aims to compete for a championship in the coming seasons.