The New England Patriots are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest items on the agenda is shoring up an offensive line that struggled to find consistency in 2025. At the heart of that issue? The center position.
After signing Garrett Bradbury to a two-year, $9.5 million deal last March, the Patriots didn’t get the return they were hoping for. Bradbury finished the season with a 60.1 offensive grade, ranking 39th among centers per Pro Football Focus. That’s not the kind of production you want from a player eating up a $6.9 million cap hit next season-especially when you could save $5.7 million by moving on.
Enter Connor McGovern, a name that should be very familiar to Patriots decision-makers. After three strong seasons with the Buffalo Bills, McGovern is set to hit the open market, and he brings a résumé that demands attention.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 and just wrapped up a 2025 campaign where he didn’t allow a single sack. That’s not just solid-that’s elite.
McGovern finished with the 14th-best pass-blocking grade among centers this past season, and his skill set fits exactly what New England needs. He’s athletic, quick off the snap, and capable of executing in both zone and power schemes.
He’s also durable, having started 49 games over the last three years in Buffalo. That kind of reliability is gold for a team trying to build a stable foundation up front.
The Patriots have a lot of work to do this offseason, but upgrading at center could be the first domino to fall. With McGovern projected as one of the top interior linemen available-and ranked as the 41st-best overall free agent-he checks a lot of boxes for a team that needs to get better in the trenches.
If New England does decide to cut ties with Bradbury, McGovern would be a logical and impactful replacement. Not only would he bring proven performance, but he’d also allow the Patriots to redirect resources toward other pressing needs, especially with a critical 2026 NFL Draft looming.
Bottom line: If the Patriots are serious about turning the page and building a more efficient offense, it starts up front. And Connor McGovern could be the anchor they’ve been missing.