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Bills Veteran Turns Down $64M Raiders Offer, Stays in Buffalo on $52M Deal to Chase Super Bowl

March 15, 2026

Buffalo, New York – The Buffalo Bills entered the 2026 offseason focused on maintaining stability along the offensive line as the franchise continues building a championship-caliber roster around quarterback Josh Allen.

Protecting Allen remains one of the organization’s top priorities, and over the past several seasons the interior offensive line has quietly developed into one of the most dependable units on the team.

At the center of that consistency has been veteran center Connor McGovern, whose leadership and durability have played a key role in anchoring Buffalo’s offensive front.

Earlier this offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly attempted to lure McGovern away from Buffalo with a massive $64 million contract offer.

Rather than immediately accepting the larger payday, the veteran center chose to wait for Buffalo’s proposal before making a decision about his future.

When the Bills presented a four-year deal worth $52 million, McGovern ultimately decided to remain in Buffalo — leaving $12 million on the table in order to stay with the team he believes has a real opportunity to compete for a championship.

"This team is close to something special," McGovern said when discussing his decision. "I believe in the locker room here, and I want to help bring a Super Bowl to Buffalo."

After failing to secure McGovern, the Raiders quickly shifted their focus and signed star center Tyler Linderbaum to a blockbuster three-year, $81 million contract, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL.

That massive deal has only made Buffalo’s agreement with McGovern appear even more valuable.

While Linderbaum’s contract carries an annual value of roughly $27 million per season, McGovern’s deal comes at a significantly lower number, providing Buffalo with important salary-cap flexibility as the team continues to strengthen the roster around its core players.

On the field, McGovern has delivered remarkable consistency. Over the past two seasons, he has not allowed a single sack, helping keep the pocket clean for Allen while also supporting a rushing attack led by James Cook, who captured the NFL rushing title in 2025.

For Buffalo’s front office, the outcome now looks like one of the most efficient deals of the entire offseason.

By retaining a proven veteran leader at a significantly lower price than the league’s biggest contracts, the Bills may have secured a crucial piece of their offensive foundation without sacrificing the financial flexibility needed to continue building a Super Bowl contender. 🏈

Texans Are Taking a Big Gamble on the Former Pro Bowl Player from Cleveland Browns After He Was Released - $30.5 Million Is a Significant Sum for a 31 Year Old Player Past His Prime
Houston, Texas – After being released by the Cleveland Browns, Wyatt Teller, a three time Pro Bowl guard, is now a target for the Houston Texans in this offseason's free agency. However, signing a 31-year-old player who is no longer at the peak of his performance raises concerns about the logic of this move, especially considering the $30.5 million contract for three years, which is no small amount. Teller was once a standout for the Cleveland Browns, particularly noted for his ability to block for the running game, earning All-Pro honors at the guard position. However, his performance in the 2025 season was affected by injuries, and stats like a 9.8% quarterback pressure rate point to a decline in his pass protection abilities. That said, Teller's strength in the running game still holds value, which is likely why the Texans are considering him. Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports emphasized the importance of revamping Houston's offensive line: "Houston needs a solution at the guard position to improve their running game, and Teller, despite his flaws, is still a player who can contribute." However, with such a high price tag and Teller's current state, some believe the Texans may be taking too much of a gamble on a player who might not meet expectations. Teller was a key figure in the Browns' offensive line and played an essential role in their running game. He reached the peak of his career with All-Pro honors in 2020 and 2021, but his performance has waned in recent seasons. Teller is no longer at the level he once was, and his mistakes in pass protection still make him a risky option for Texans. That said, Texans are in dire need of improvements for their offensive line. While other options may not be available or could be more expensive, Teller is still a feasible choice, despite not being at his best. The inconsistency in his performance in recent years could pose a challenge for the Texans as they attempt to rebuild their offensive line while supporting their young quarterback CJ Stroud. Wyatt Teller remains confident about his abilities. In a recent interview, he shared:"What matters to me right now isn’t the salary, it’s not the contract value. If the team has trusted me and given me the opportunity, I believe I will bring a Super Bowl championship to Houston to prove that I am worthy." It’s clear that Teller not only wants to prove himself but also is eager to help the team reach new heights. However, the reality is, if he cannot regain his former performance, he will face many challenges as he joins the Texans, a team looking to rebuild its offensive line. As the Texans continue to look for key additions to their roster, spending a significant amount of money on Teller may prove to be a high-risk gamble. Given the unclear signs about his stability over the past few seasons, can the Texans confidently rely on this move to succeed in 2026? Only time will tell, but this is certainly a deal to watch in this year’s free agency.