As of right now, the Buffalo Bills are set to lose 40% of their starting offensive line to free agency. Both Connor McGovern and David Edwards are pending free agents. If the Bills were to choose who they could re-sign if not both of them, McGovern has been the anchor of the unit for the past two years since moving to center.
He is fantastic in pass blocking and has been serviceable against the run. His market value is currently listed at $16.3 million per Spotrac. That would put him as the fourth-highest paid center.
As for Edwards, his value is listed at $19.9 million per Spotrac. The Bills have had a bargain of a deal with Edwards, but now he is looking to cash in after a solid two years starting in Buffalo. The Bills don't have that kind of money to give to an offensive guard, and they also agreed to a one-year deal with Alec Anderson, who can play anywhere on the line. He could very well take over for Edwards.
Edwards is more than likely going to be somewhere else for 2026, and Lou Scataglia from NFL Spin Zone listed one team as a potential landing spot for Edwards that has given the Bills troubles in the past.
David Edwards listed as free agent the Bengals must pursue
Scataglia listed Edwards as a free agent that the Bengals “must sign no matter what this offseason”.
"Edwards has started 32 games the past two seasons and has really revived his career during this time. He played in just four games in 2022 and was not a starter in 2023. Edwards is going to cash in big-time on the open market, and with Bufflalo being in a tight cap situation, Edwards might not at all be a priority." said Scataglia.
Edwards has been part of the offensive line that has helped protect Josh Allen and helped him win the MVP award. His career started off shaky in Los Angeles where he had multiple injuries to deal with. He revived his career with the Bills, and now the expectation is that will get near-top dollar money at the guard position.
The Bengals are an ideal landing spot for Edwards as they have had a bad offensive line for years and Joe Burrow has battled through multiple injuries. Them gaining someone like Edwards would be an upgrade, but if they are willing to pay that kind of money for a guard, then let them.
However, on the other side of things, he would then join a team that has given the Bills problems in recent memory. The Bengals already have a lethal passing attack and if they can build up their O-line, Buffalo could have even more trouble than they have already dealt with against the Bengals.