Tag: Connor McGovern

Connor McGovern returned to Jets to ‘be part of something special’

What McGovern and Saleh had to say about reunion:

Offensive lineman Connor McGovern is back with the New York Jets.

According to both sides, it just was a reunion that made sense.

McGovern, 31, appeared destined for retirement. Now he’s a member of New York’s practice squad after re-signing with the team following a tryout earlier this week.

McGovern played in New York from 2020 up until last season as the team’s starting center. An MCL and knee injury ended his 2023 season after seven games played.

On Thursday, McGovern told ESPN that despite telling family he was leaning toward retirement… he decided to keep himself in shape this offseason.

The Jets came calling and here we are–But why?

From McGovern’s perspective, he felt optimistic about Gang Green in 2024 like many. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers making his second debut this season, hopes are high, and McGovern did not want to be on the outside looking in.

“If or when this team goes to the playoffs and if I wasn’t helping in some capacity, I’d be pretty disappointed,” he said. “I had to come have another ride with this group and be a part of something special.”

As for the Jets, it made even more sense. Last week, New York put backup center Wes Schweitzer on injured reserve because of a hand injury.

Replacing Schweitzer with a familiar face was the objective, head coach Robert Saleh said.

Saleh’s explanation can be found in the clip below:

[lawrence-related id=696310,696311,696302]

Jets re-sign Connor McGovern to practice squad

#Jets jets re- Connor McGovern to practice squad:

Connor McGovern has put retirement from the NFL on hold.

The New York have announced that McGovern has re-signed with the team. The offensive lineman has been added to the Jets’ practice squad.

In a corresponding move, running back Xazavian Valladay was released from the taxi unit:

The 31-year-old played in New York from 2020 up until last season as the team’s starting center. An MCL and knee injury ended his 2023 season after seven games played and it appeared that McGovern was retiring.

Last week, the Jets put backup center Wes Schweitzer on injured reserve because of a hand injury. According to McGovern, New York then reached out and asked him about coming in for a tryout. He did so this week and now McGovern is back in the fold.

Pro Football Focus handed McGovern a poor grade for his efforts last season. The football analytics outlet gave him a brutal 48.5 overall mark.

The three seasons prior to that, McGovern was in much better standing at 69.6 (2022), 75.9 (2021), and 62.2 (2020).

Jets Wire will continue to provide all roster updates throughout the 2024 season.

[lawrence-related id=696302,696299,696303]

Bills’ Connor McGovern says there is a ‘waiting list’ to attend his pizza parties

#Bills’ Connor McGovern says there is a ‘waiting list’ to attend his pizza parties:

Connor McGovern is the biggest pizza man in the western New York area.

At least, as far as the Buffalo Bills are concerned.

It was revealed earlier this summer that McGovern would host pizza parties at his house during the 2023 season… then the Bills went on a winning streak.

The sauce? The team bonding? Whatever did the trick, it worked, and teammates have praised him throughout the offseason about his get togethers. 

At this summer’s training camp, McGovern’s pizza was brought up on One Bills Live. During the discussion, McGovern noted how there is actually a waiting list to get into the door when it comes to his gatherings.

Check out McGovern’s pizza chat in the One Bills Live clip below:

[lawrence-related id=138913,138908,138906]

CBS Sports: Interior O-line still a ‘need’ for the Bills

CBS Sports: Interior O-line still a ‘need’ for the #Bills:

The changes along the Buffalo Bills offensive line this offseason has CBS Sports a bit worried.

The outlet named every NFL team’s “biggest need” prior to the 2024 season. For the Bills, the interior of the offensive line is specifically noted.

At the tackle spots, Buffalo does have that area locked down with Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. On the inside, the moving of Connor McGovern from guard to center has caused concern.

McGovern has experience there, but it’s never a sure thing in the NFL. He could struggle.

Not only that, the Bills will hope somebody can step into McGovern’s old position at left guard and cover for him while he makes his change to center following the release of Mitch Morse this offseason.

The top candidate mentioned to potentially replace McGovern is David Edwards, who was re-signed by Buffalo this spring. A dark horse could be veteran La’el Collins. He inked a deal in Buffalo in April. Collins has played plenty of tackle during his NFL career but has it at guard, too.

CBS Sports’ breakdown on the Bills O-line can be found below:

Bills: Interior offensive line

Wide receiver, defensive tackle, safety and linebacker are a few positions that may have answers already on the roster even if there is more for the group, as a whole, to prove.

The choice was either cornerback or the interior offensive line. Rasul Douglas played really well after coming over from Green Bay in a trade. Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam are once again being asked to lockdown the other side now that Tre’Davious White has departed for Los Angeles. Connor McGovern moved from offensive guard to center this offseason, then the team signed David Edwards in free agency. It may work out fine but there are a lot of moving parts from last season.

[lawrence-related id=137538,137539,137532]

Praise for Connor McGovern’s pizza parties continues from Josh Allen (video)

QB1 loves him some pizza:

Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Connor McGovern is making a lot of noise this offseason.

First, it was announced he would take over at center.

After that, his pizza parties started to make waves.

Tight end Dawson Knox has already raved about them. Quarterback Josh Allen has now, too.

In particular, a “pizza muffin” is Allen’s favorite.

Hear all about the pizza from Allen and others in the WKBW-TV clip below:

[lawrence-related id=136900,136901,136898]

Watch: Former New York Jets center Connor McGovern is putting in offseason work

Connor McGovern, former New York Jets offensive lineman, is putting in offseason work.

Connor McGovern is putting in some offseason work, with the former New York Jets offensive lineman continuing to wait on NFL free agency to play out.

Having been in the NFL since 2015, McGovern has spent the last four seasons with the Jets. He has made 55 appearances – all starts – since joining the Jets in 2020.

He made just seven appearances last season before his season ended with a dislocated knee.

A fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft, McGovern spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos.

Given the rebuilding of the Jets offensive line, there is likely no spot for McGovern in the first-team. But given the depth concerns for the Jets along the offensive line, McGovern could be a very enticing signing to bolster a unit that has the potential to be improved this year:

 

[lawrence-related id=694872,694874]

The rebuilding of the Jets offensive line is headlined by the free agent signing of Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyron Smith.

 

Bills’ Connor McGovern explains being confused with other Connor McGovern (video)

It happens:

Connor McGovern plays on the Buffalo Bills… but also the New York Jets.

The player on the Bills offensive line is now a center, too. Who else it? The Jets’ McGovern.

Speaking of all those comparisons, the Bills center joined the Centered on Buffalo Podcast with Eric Wood and explained how many in the NFL actually do confuse the two. On one occasion, a Jets coach once called the Bills O-lineman by mistake making for a very awkward conversation.

That and more can be found in the clip below:

[lawrence-related id=136416,136414,136383]

Bills’ Connor McGovern calls center his ‘natural position’

#Bills’ Connor McGovern calls center his ‘natural position’

The Connor McGovern experiment sounds like it’s off to a good start for the Buffalo Bills–both for player and team.

During spring practices McGovern commented how much he’s enjoying the move. Previously a guard, McGovern has been tasked by the Bills to move to center and take the place of Mitch Morse.

In a salary cap decision, Morse was released this offseason. Despite McGovern’s NFL experience coming at guard more often, he has approved of the switch.

“I missed it a lot, honestly,” McGovern said. “I got drafted [by the Dallas Cowboys] as a center originally and then a new coaching staff came in. I got moved to guard and always kind of seeked my way back to center every time something happened.”

“I would say center is my natural position so it’s just going back home,” McGovern added.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott sees the positives, too.

“Connor, at the leadership position of our offensive line, he’s the one that sets the table to call the huddle to really start the next play,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said via video conference. “I think he’s done a nice job.”

For more from McGovern, see the attached clip below:

[lawrence-related id=136319,136309,136303]

Bills’ Dawson Knox shouts out Connor McGovern’s pizza parties

#Bills’ Dawson Knox shouts out Connor McGovern’s pizza parties:

The Buffalo Bills offense loves a good pizza party … really. They’re hosted by offensive lineman Connor McGovern.

Dating back to his upbringing, McGovern has loved pizza, and he brought that to western New York.

Prior to signing in Buffalo, McGovern would cook pizzas with the Dallas Cowboys offensive line. Now that’s turned into a team-building activity for the whole Bills offense.

Tight end Dawson Knox approves of the measure.

“Connor hosts amazing pizza parties at his house, almost biweekly,” Knox said at spring practices. “They’re unbelievable.”

McGovern is the head chef and makes the pies to his liking. Per Knox, McGovern will make upward of 30 pizzas for the whole group.

McGovern said during an interview on the “Centered on Buffalo” podcast that he does not prefer Buffalo-style slices as he opts for thin crust instead.

“I think the thinner, New York-style,” McGovern said.

For more from Knox on the team-building pizza parties, see the attached WGRZ-TV clip below:

[lawrence-related id=136303,136299,136297]

NFL.com predicts who could be new starters for the Bills in 2024

NFL.com predicts who could be new starters for the #Bills in 2024:

Roster turnover has highlighted the 2024 offseason for the Buffalo Bills and we’re not even close to training camp yet.

Once that rolls around, we’ll get our answers as to who will not only get a chance start, but actually start for the Bills during the upcoming season.

For now, all we can do is speculate and NFL.com has done that. The league’s website took a stab at guessing the upcoming 2024 Bills starters.

With all the noted change, there were several new starters projected on both sides of the ball by NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal.

Here’s how the Bills’ projected starting lineup changes were projected:

NFL.com: The Bills view Keon Coleman as an outside “X” receiver. Many draft analysts saw him as a big option in the slot. Can he get open enough against outside cornerbacks? One confusing aspect of the offense is that most of Buffalo’s pass catchers (Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Kincaid) do their best work on the inside.

NFL.com: The Bills hope for Von Miller to be a starter again, but even quality snaps as a sub-package player would be a bonus. Despite his guaranteed money ($8.5 million in 2024, per Over The Cap), he’s not a lock to make the team if he doesn’t show progress in training camp. Miller’s presence is part of a defensive line that is not as deep as it once was, although the Bills added third- and fifth-round picks (DT DeWayne Carter and DE Javon Solomon) to the mix.

NFL.com: The Bills hope for Von Miller to be a starter again, but even quality snaps as a sub-package player would be a bonus. Despite his guaranteed money ($8.5 million in 2024, per Over The Cap), he’s not a lock to make the team if he doesn’t show progress in training camp. Miller’s presence is part of a defensive line that is not as deep as it once was, although the Bills added third- and fifth-round picks (DT DeWayne Carter and DE Javon Solomon) to the mix.