Few interior linemen in the NFL combine versatility, durability and strength like Connor McGovern.
A capable veteran who has played both guard spots as well as at center, McGovern has proven he can adapt to different systems with nary a dip in performance. As he enters the final year of his contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2025, he’ll be one of the more intriguing offensive line options available in 2026 free agency in the Bills fail to lock him down.
For a San Francisco 49ers team that values positional flexibility and high football IQ up front, McGovern’s skill set could be an ideal match.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report thinks McGovern should be a high priority signing for the Niners in 2026.
“Kyle Shanahan’s offensive genius can only go so far,” Ballentine wrote on August 11. “The Niners have to build a strong offensive line to make their head coach’s system work. That means potentially looking at options to replace Jake Brendel who will be 33 in September. Connor McGovern has proved to be a good run- and pass-blocking option at the pivot for the Buffalo Bills. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024 and the Bills have a tight cap situation going into next year.
A Look at McGovern’s NFL Career Thus Far
McGovern’s NFL career began in 2019, when the Dallas Cowboys made him a third-round pick. A torn pec wiped out his rookie season, but he clawed his way into the rotation the following year.
By 2021, he was doing a little bit of everything for Dallas, and his 2022 season cemented his value: 15 starts, just two sacks allowed, and the kind of reliability offensive line coaches love.
That production got Buffalo’s attention. The Bills signed McGovern in March 2023 on a three-year deal, plugging him in as their starting left guard. He started all 17 games that season, holding his own against some of the AFC’s nastiest interior rushers.
Then came a twist: in 2024, after the team moved on from longtime center Mitch Morse, McGovern was asked to slide inside and take over the pivot. The position change could’ve been a headache, but McGovern embraced the role and earned a Pro Bowl nod by the end of the year.
Over his five seasons in the league, McGovern had taken over 2,200 snaps at left guard, over 1,000 snaps at center and over 700 at right guard, per PFF. That kind of versatility is rare.
Why Connor McGovern Would Be a Huge Get for the San Francisco 49ers in 2026
GettyConnor McGovern of the Buffalo Bills is headed toward free agency in 2026, and some analysts thing the 49ers should sign him.
McGovern’s deal with the Bills is set to expire after 2025, and he should be one of the most sought-after interior linemen on the 2026 free agent market. He’s proven he can play guard or center at a high level, he’s durable and he’s played well in two different systems.
From a scheme perspective, McGovern’s skill set fits right into Kyle Shanahan’s playbook. San Francisco’s offense depends on linemen who can move in space and adjust on the fly in wide-zone runs and play-action situations. McGovern has shown he can handle those assignments while managing the mental load of making line calls — exactly the type of steady hand that would make Brock Purdy’s life easier.
McGovern would walk into camp as a ready-made starter at either guard or center, giving the Niners insurance against injuries and the flexibility to get their best five on the field no matter what. If the Bills let him hit the open market in 2026, the 49ers might not find a better plug-and-play answer for the middle of their line.
49ers Urged to Pursue Bills Pro Bowl Starter to Fill Major Void