Before the NFL’s legal tampering period opened up, the Buffalo Bills had two pending free agents on the offensive line. Both Connor McGovern and David Edwards were set to hit free agency, but then the Bills were able to bring McGovern back on a four-year deal worth $52 million. Lots of fans were hoping that the Bills would bring McGovern back and the team delivered on it.
McGovern has been the anchor of the offensive line the last two seasons and now he will be Josh Allen’s center for the foreseeable future. However, that pretty much meant that the Bills were out on Edwards, especially with them re-signing Alec Anderson earlier in February.
Edwards would go on to land with the New Orleans Saints on a four-year, $61 million deal to protect Tyler Shough. He got a phenomenal payday because for the last two seasons, he has been one of the best guards in the business. The Bills had Edwards on a very cheap contract and he outplayed it by a mile.
With Edwards now with the Saints, Lance Lysowski reported that Edwards told the media that Buffalo “was in the mix” before ultimately choosing to sign with the Saints.
Former Bills LG David Edwards told reporters in New Orleans that Buffalo was "in the mix" before he elected to join the Saints:
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) March 12, 2026
"I loved my time in Buffalo and it was one of the most impactful times, not only in my career but my life. Just being able to appreciate everything."
Bills reportedly looked to bring David Edwards back to Buffalo
For the past two seasons, the Bills have had the same offensive line from left to right with Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, and Spencer Brown. They have done a fantastic job at protecting Josh Allen and helping James Cook become the league’s leading rusher in 2025.
It makes sense that the Bills were in the mix to try and bring him back, but it was hard to imagine that Edwards would take a lower deal to stay in Buffalo rather than cash in somewhere else.
The Saints certainly gave him a huge contract and while it is a good amount of money to pay a guard, they get themselves a player who played at a near elite level the last two seasons in Buffalo. They will be hoping that Edwards will continue to play at a high level in New Orleans.
Buffalo could very well start Alec Anderson at left guard, or bring in another veteran to compete. Heck, they may even want to strongly consider drafting an offensive lineman sooner than later in next month’s draft. Edwards isn’t a massive loss, but it’s a bigger one than fans may think.