The Buffalo Bills had a potentially major need going into free agency back in March, as they were set to lose two offensive linemen in Connor McGovern and David Edwards. Both players were set to hit the free agent market, but the Bills needed to try and keep one of them. Brandon Beane managed to get a deal done with McGovern, extending him four years worth $52 million where he gets $32 million guaranteed.
McGovern getting re-signed gave the Bills major stability in the trenches. While they do have to figure out the left guard spot, keeping the center that has continuity with Josh Allen was important. When it comes to protecting the franchise, it is important to do whatever it takes to not risk it.
Buffalo managed to bring back McGovern on a deal that looks very reasonable, and even a little bit like a bargain. When you compare it to the deal that Tyler Linderbaum got from the Las Vegas Raiders (3 years, $81 million), McGovern’s deal is definitely a steal. It's not that Linderbaum didn't deserve to get paid, but the Raiders made a huge investment that I'm not sure any other team would have made.
Another center extension right in the AFC East once again proves that McGovern’s deal is great for the Bills.
Jets' new extension shows Bills got a great deal with Connor McGovern
Ian Rapoport from NFL Network reported earlier today that the New York Jets extended their center, Joe Tippmann, to a four-year, $66.4 million deal which includes $34.9 million guaranteed.
Full terms: The #Jets and G Joe Tippmann have agreed to a 4-year, $66.4M extension with $34.9M guaranteed in a deal negotiated by Joe Panos and AJ Stevens of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/ghp9uB6Llq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 15, 2026
While the guarantees aren’t too different from each other, Tippmann is set to make more money than McGovern, even though McGovern is the better at this point. While Tippmann is a quality starter, you could make the argument that McGovern is the better center by a mile right now.
He is phenomenal in pass protection and he has the versatility factor that not a lot of offensive linemen have. To get him on a cheaper deal despite being the better center than Tippmann is great news for the Bills.
While Brandon Beane definitely has his faults, one thing that can be said about him is that he typically does a great job at getting guys extended early and beating the market. Then you see other teams re-sign their players at a higher price, which shows that Beane does a great job at acting fast.
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