Cowboys free agent OL Connor McGovern signs new contract with Buffalo Bills
Dallas Cowboys center/guard Connor McGovern is headed out of DFW. The key rotational piece for the Cowboys is signing a three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, Mike Garafalo reported on day one of the free agency negotiation window. His new contract will net him $23 million, according to Garafolo’s sources.
The offensive lineman out of Penn State was playing on a four-year, $3.62 million rookie contract for Dallas. McGovern went No. 90 overall in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The 25-year-old lineman played in 15 games this season, providing starting and backup aid at multiple positions. McGovern allowed one or fewer pressures in 10 of his 15 games and allowed just one in two playoff starts, according to SB Nation.
The Cowboys were able to flex him out as a fullback at times when the full starting lineup was healthy. He also filled in as starting center when Tyler Biadasz went down late in the year.
McGovern started his career off on a bad foot in Dallas when he tore his pectoral muscle in the preseason. He went on IR but became a full contributor in 2020. He started eight of 14 games in 2020, six of 16 in 2021 and 15 games in 2022.
More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency
The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.
In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.
There are 722 players slated to become free agents in 2023, including 20 unrestricted free agents for Dallas.