Connor Williams, the 27-year-old center for the Seattle Seahawks, has decided to retire from the NFL. Williams signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Seattle in August 2024 after being released by the Miami Dolphins, where he had been placed on injured reserve following an ACL tear sustained in a December 2023 game against the Tennessee Titans. Despite his recent injury, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Williams’ retirement was driven by personal reasons, unrelated to his knee.
Coach Macdonald stated that Williams’ decision was based on personal matters that would remain private. He emphasized that their discussions on the matter were confidential and expressed support for the player’s choice. According to Macdonald, Williams only informed the team of his decision earlier in the week, suggesting it was a choice that took time to finalize.
Williams began his NFL journey with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 before joining the Miami Dolphins for two seasons. His time with the Seahawks marked his third team in the league. With six years of experience, Williams qualifies for NFL retirement benefits, which are available to players with at least three seasons of service.
The news of Williams’ departure sparked mixed reactions from Seahawks fans on social media. Some voiced frustration over the timing of his retirement, especially with the team navigating a rough stretch in their season. Others offered support, speculating that personal challenges may have influenced his decision.
Williams’ retirement comes just days before the Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers — a pivotal matchup as Seattle looks to recover from a difficult stretch. After opening the season with three straight wins, the Seahawks have won only one of their last six games, making the 49ers game a key opportunity to turn things around.
To fill the void left by Williams, the Seahawks will rely on Olu Oluwatimi as their new starting center. Oluwatimi, who joined Seattle in 2023 after a college career at Virginia and Michigan, will now take on a larger role. Backing him up will be Jalen Sundell, an undrafted free agent from North Dakota State. The Seahawks face the challenge of adjusting to these changes as they fight to salvage their season.
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