The Seattle Seahawks are facing a significant change in their lineup as their starting center, Connor Williams, has announced his retirement at the age of 27. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the news during a media briefing on Friday. Macdonald expressed respect for Williams’ decision, citing personal reasons for the player’s sudden retirement.
Williams’ decision to retire came as a surprise, especially considering his active participation in the current season. He had played every offensive snap for the Seahawks this season, demonstrating his commitment to the team. When asked if Williams might reconsider his decision, Macdonald expressed doubt, stating that the team would respect Williams’ wishes and maintain privacy regarding the reasons behind his retirement.
The unexpected retirement announcement came after Williams was absent from two days of practice earlier this week due to “personal reasons.” This led to speculation among Seahawks observers that he might not play in the upcoming game against the 49ers. However, the news of his retirement has left many in shock, given his consistent performance throughout the season.
Williams, a Texas college football player, was a second-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played four seasons as a guard for the Cowboys before switching to center for the Miami Dolphins for two seasons. Last season, Williams suffered a torn ACL, which he admitted had been a struggle to recover from. Despite the injury, he signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks worth up to $4 million this past offseason.
In a recent interview with the News Tribune, Williams expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, stating that he was “nowhere close to where I want to be.” News Tribune Seahawks writer Gregg Bell noted that Williams appeared unhappy prior to his retirement announcement.
The Seahawks, currently with a 4-5 record, are hoping to bounce back in the NFC West division. A win against San Francisco could put them back in contention, as the Arizona Cardinals currently lead the division with a 6-4 record.