Seahawks starting OL abruptly decides to retire
Sep 17, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks starting center Connor Williams caught the team by surprise this week by abruptly deciding to retire.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Friday that Williams informed the team of his retirement, effective immediately. Williams had started all nine games at center for the Seahawks this season. Macdonald said Williams’ retirement was down to “personal reasons,” and that the organization respected his decision.
Coach Mike Macdonald says of starting center Connor Williams suddenly retiring: “it’s out of everybody’s control. We’ve got to honor the situation.”
Of cutting a starting LB (Dodson), now Williams retiring in the same week: “It’s exactly how we planned it, drew it up.” Wry smile pic.twitter.com/SzDIeyohij
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) November 15, 2024
Williams signed with the Seahawks during training camp and won the starting job prior to the season. He struggled at times during the season, as he and quarterback Geno Smith seemed to struggle to get on the same page and have dealt with a number of botched snaps. The 27-year-old was a second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, and was in his first year back from an ACL tear he suffered in December 2023.
It feels like a very long time ago that the Seahawks were 3-0 and were being mentioned as one of the NFL’s best teams. They have gone 1-5 since then, and things have been pretty tumultuous, especially recently. Now the team needs a new starter at center just two days before a huge divisional matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
