The Buffalo Bills were only one of two teams to maintain the same starting offensive line throughout the 2023 regular season and the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Bills could not retain every starter from last season because of limited cap space.
The Buffalo Bills released a key starter
The Bills released their starting center, Mitch Morse. The one-time Pro Bowler spent the last five seasons in Buffalo, playing 77 games with 77 starts.
The Bills also traded their backup center, Ryan Bates, to the Bears for a 2024 fifth-round pick. Bates spent the last five seasons in Buffalo, playing 73 games with 19 starts.
Instead of acquiring a starting-caliber center in free agency, the Bills had their left guard switch positions.
The Buffalo Bills’ left guard switched positions this offseason
The Bills switched Connor McGovern from left guard to center this offseason.
McGovern played at center and right guard during his tenure with Penn State. He started 14 games at center and logged 923 out of 2,353 snaps with the Nittany Lions per PFF.
McGovern has predominantly played left guard in his NFL career, playing 2,238 snaps at LG, 100 at C, 724 at RG, and 30 at ITE per PFF.
He views center as his natural position.
Connor McGovern views center as his natural position
“I missed it a lot, honestly,” McGovern said. “I got drafted [by the Dallas Cowboys] as a center originally and then a new coaching staff came in. I got moved to guard and always kind of seeked my way back to center every time something happened.
“I would say center is my natural position so it’s just going back home.”
Their head coach is impressed with his transition.
Sean McDermott is impressed with Connor McGovern’s transition
“Connor, at the leadership position of our offensive line, he’s the one that sets the table to call the huddle to really start the next play,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “I think he’s done a nice job.”
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