Connor Williams surprisingly ends his NFL career with the Seahawks. Olu Oluwatimi takes over as center. The offensive line faces new challenges.
Bad news for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. Center Connor Williams is ending his NFL career at just 27 years old. In the middle of the current season, with eight games remaining, the seven-year NFL veteran is retiring for personal reasons.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Friday that Williams’ decision was final and not related to problems with his operated knee. “I don’t think he’ll change his mind,” Macdonald said. “We respect his decision and are keeping the reasons and conversations private for obvious reasons. We wish him all the best.”
NFL: Oluwatimi takes on the role of center
After Williams’ retirement, Olu Oluwatimi will take over the center position. The Seahawks also plan to make a roster move on Saturday.
Williams had started all nine games for Seattle (4-5) this season and played every offensive play after joining the team during training camp. Although he was still in practice on Monday, he was listed as non-participating for the past three days with a non-injury/personal designation.
Macdonald would not elaborate on when he suspected Williams was considering retirement. “It was a process over the week,” Macdonald explained: “But it was this week.”
Challenges for the offensive line
Williams’ departure presents new challenges for the Seahawks’ already struggling offensive line. This currently ranks 27th in pass block win rate and has difficulty creating movement in the run game.
Injuries have forced the Seahawks to use three different right tackles in the absence of Abraham Lucas. There was also rotation at the right guard position as Anthony Bradford and rookie Christian Haynes struggled. Seattle even considered moving Williams to that position.
Lucas will make his 2024 season debut on Sunday but may not play every game following knee surgery in January. “We expect him to play in a significant way,” Macdonald said. “We have a plan and a goal for the number of plays we want him to complete.”
Big injury concerns for the Seahawks
Wide receiver DK Metcalf was in full practice all week and will return from his MCL injury that sidelined him two games.
However, the Seahawks will be without tight end Noah Fant (groin) and backup Brady Russell (foot). Oluwatimi, a 2023 fifth-round pick, was originally slated to be the starter until the Seahawks signed Williams in August. “He’s someone who’s been knocking on the door for a long time,” Macdonald said. “It is an unforeseen situation that needs to be addressed head on, but the silver lining is that we get to see Olu in action.”
Williams made it to the season opener on September 8th despite suffering a torn ACL just nine months earlier – the second of his NFL career. This season, he ranked 25th among centers in pass block win rate and has recently struggled with some inaccurate snaps.
Williams, who suffered from a speech impediment as a child and was often the target of bullying, was drafted in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. “Connor was in my corner the whole time,” Oluwatimi said. “I’m happy for him. He’ll always be my buddy.”
