The Buffalo Bills were one of two teams to keep the same starting offensive line through the regular season and playoffs in 2023. Unfortunately, the Bills were not able to keep all of their starters from last season due to limited cap space.
The Buffalo Bills have released key starters
Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse (60) plays against the Kansas City Chiefs during a 2024 AFC Divisional Round game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York, USA. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports
The Bills released starting center Mitch Morse, a one-time Pro Bowl selection who spent the past five seasons with Buffalo, appearing in 77 games and making 77 starts.
The Bills also traded backup center Ryan Bates to the Bears in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2024. Bates spent the past five seasons with Buffalo, appearing in 73 games and making 19 starts.
Instead of acquiring a starting-caliber center in free agency, the Bills made a change at the left guard position.
The Buffalo Bills left guard changed positions this offseason.
Buffalo Bills guard Connor McGovern (66) stands at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, December 10, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley – USA TODAY Sports
The Bills moved Connor McGovern from left guard to center this offseason.
McGovern played center and right guard during his time at Penn State. Per PFF, he started 14 games at center and played 923 of the Nittany Lions' 2,353 snaps.
McGovern has played primarily left guard during his NFL career, with 2,238 appearances at LG, 100 at C, 724 at RG and 30 at ITE, per PFF.
He considers center to be his natural position.
Connor McGovern considers center to be his natural position.
Buffalo Bills guard Connor McGovern (66) plays against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on November 26, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline – USA TODAY Sports
“Honestly, I was really sad,” McGovern said. “I was really sad when I was drafted. [by the Dallas Cowboys] I started out playing center, then a new coaching staff came in. I got moved to guard, and every time something happened I was looking for a way to get back to center.
“Center is my natural position, so I'm just going back home.”
Their head coach has been impressed with his transformation.
Sean McDermott impressed with Connor McGovern's transformation
Bills head coach Sean McDermott celebrates a defensive turnover after the interception gave the Falcons advantageous field position.
“Connor is the leader on our offensive line and the guy that's going to be ready to call the huddle to really get the next play going,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “I thought he's done a good job.”
How will Connor McGovern fare in his first season as the starting center?
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