Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy raves about new Bills OL Connor McGovern
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane set out on a mission this offseason to improve the offensive line and protection for Josh Allen.
He’s done just that, adding talent and depth to the position group to improve competition for starting roles as well as, ultimately, the on-field results.
While the position battles in training camp have yet to unfold, there are some players, like recent free agent signing and new Bills guard Connor McGovern, who come with hopes high. Enough so that Buffalo signed him to a three-year deal at age 25 following a four-year stint with Dallas, as he could be a plug-and-play offensive lineman between C Mitch Morse and OT Dion Dawkins.
Still, for someone who has room to improve in their run defense, a several-year pact may have raised some questions or curiosity about the signing.
Beane noted upon coming to terms with the offensive lineman in free agency that he believed his best play was ahead of him, and he’s not alone in that prediction.
McGovern’s previous head coach has echoed a similar sentiment as well.
“I think he’s definitely on the rise,” said Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy earlier this year during the NFL’s annual meetings. “Really, Connor’s challenge were his injuries early in his career,” McCarthy said. “His best football is in front of him.”
McGovern was a 2019 third-round NFL Draft pick who was out his rookie season (and McCarthy’s first year with the team) with a pectoral injury. He’d go on to start 29 of his 45 regular-season games and three playoff games from the 2020 season through his final year with Dallas.
McCarthy’s not wrong about the injuries, and the Bills training staff and facilities do have a repute for helping players stay healthy.
Last season for the Cowboys, McGovern only committed one penalty and gave up two sacks while playing over 900 snaps, which shows potential.
For an offense that is proactive in keeping broken plays alive as well as taking shots downfield when flags are thrown against opponents, it’s important to keep penalties as limited as possible so as to not cost them. Penalties have been an issue for the Bills offense in the past.
The 25-year-old and his fellow offseason additions to the offensive line, like O’Cyrus Torrence, David Edwards, and Nick Broeker will aim to do just that as they compete for time in the starting spots.
One thing is for certain, playing for the Bills is a dream scenario for McGovern, who said as much upon signing with the team.
“I’ve always thought that like last year, if there would be a dream team like where I can go, Buffalo was always at the top of that.”
