The Las Vegas Raiders could have the perfect opportunity to upgrade on the offensive line with Buffalo Bills free agent center Connor McGovern.
NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry reported that Las Vegas is expected to make a strong run at this year’s top free-agent center, Tyler Linderbaum. However, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, he’s expected to get offers that “exceed $20 million per year.”
Is that a price the Raiders are willing to pay? They do have the second-most cap space in the league at $88.1 million, according to OvertheCap.com, but a cheaper option will be available for Las Vegas to go after with McGovern.
Connor McGovern Feels Bills’ Tenure is ‘Over and Done’
Talking with The Athletic’s Tim Graham, McGovern believes his tenure with the Bills is “over and done,” after not hearing from general manager Brandon Beane.
“They haven’t contacted me once. In my gut, that says it’s over and done.”
McGovern is arguably the second-best option available at center this year behind Linderbaum, and according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, he’s projected to make an annual salary of around $9-16 million.
Here’s what ESPN’s Matt Bowen had to say about McGovern:
“A steady pass blocker in the middle of the front, McGovern has the mobility to climb and play in space versus linebackers. He had a 97.2% pass block win rate in 2025, which was tied for second among 31 qualifying centers.”
He’ll be 28 by the time next season rolls around and hasn’t missed a game since joining the Bills back in 2023. He didn’t play in the regular-season finales in 2024 and 2025, but Buffalo was resting its starters for the playoffs.
The Raiders don’t have to get into a bidding war with other teams with Linderbaum and pay him over $20 million per year when McGovern could get the team similar results on the field at a cheaper cost.
Klint Kubiak Doesn’t Commit to Jackson Powers-Johnson Playing Center
GettyMaxx Crosby #98 and Jackson Powers-Johnson #58 of the Las Vegas Raiders embrace after defeating the Tennessee Titans.
Fans were upset over the fact that Jackson Powers-Johnson was never given the opportunity to play center, and rightfully so.
Powers-Johnson won the Rimington Trophy back in college, which is awarded to college football’s top center.
Head coach Klint Kubiak has not verbally committed to him playing center, but likes what he’s seen from JPJ so far.
“The fact that he can do multiple spots is really exciting,” Kubiak said. “I really like his play style. I like turning on the Chicago game and seeing him being physical and, you know, playing through the echo of the whistle, that’s the kind of mindset I want our guys to play with.”
However, just as JPJ could play both guard and center, so can McGovern.
McGovern played primarily at guard during his time with the Dallas Cowboys, then made the switch to center when he was with Buffalo. If the Raiders were to sign McGovern, maybe he could go back to guard, and JPJ could play center, but either way, he’s an intriguing option the Raiders should go after during free agency.
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