Offensive lineman unexpectedly leaves the league for personal reasons
RENTON, Washington. –The center of the Seattle Seahawks, Connor Williamsunexpectedly decided to retire at age 27, leaving the team with eight games left this season.
The coach Mike Macdonald He said Friday that the seven-year veteran made the decision earlier this week for “personal reasons.” The only other detail he provided about Williams’ decision was that it was not due to any issue with his surgically repaired knee. Macdonald is under the impression the decision is final and says he doesn’t think there’s any chance Williams will change his mind.
“I don’t think so,” Macdonald replied. “We are honoring his wishes and will keep all those reasons and conversations private for obvious reasons and wish him the best.”
Connor Williams is retiring from the NFL, abruptly for personal reasons. Steph Chambers/Getty Images
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Macdonald noted that Olu Oluwatimi will assume the center position and that the Seahawks They will likely make a roster move on Saturday.
Connor Williams had been a starter in all nine games Seattle (4-5) this season and played every offensive snap after signing with the team during training camp. I was at practice on Monday when the Seahawks returned from their break to begin preparations for their Sunday game against the San Francisco 49ers, but was then listed as a non-participant in practice the last three days with a personal/non-injury designation.
Macdonald did not specify when he began to get indications that Williams was thinking about retiring. Asked when Williams informed him of his decision, Macdonald replied: “It’s been a process all week.”
“You start getting into schedules and stuff, I’d rather keep it private with… Connor and the things he’s working on. But it was this week.”
Williams’ departure is a blow to the beleaguered offensive line. Seattlewho ranks 27th in pass-blocking win rate and has also struggled to create movement in the run game. The injuries have forced the Seahawks to use three different right tackles in the absence of Abraham Lucas. They have also rotated at right guard, where Anthony Bradford and the rookie drafted in the third round, Christian Haynesthey have had problems to the point that Seattle considered transferring Williams there.
Lucas will make his 2024 debut on Sunday, although he may not play every snap in his first game after knee surgery in January. Lucas participated fully in the last two days of practice.
The wide receiver DK Metcalf He participated fully all week and will return from a sprained MCL that sidelined him the last two games. But the Seahawks They will be left without the No. 1 tight end Noah Fant (groin) and the substitute Brady Russell (foot), in addition to Williams.
