Seahawks C Connor Williams is retiring from the NFL due to personal reasons

Seahawks center Connor Williams missed practice this week due to a personal issue. Coach Mike Macdonald announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday.

“So Connor decided to retire earlier this week. Personal reasons and we respect that,” Macdonald said via video from Bob Condotta Seattle Times. “Wish him the best, we need to move forward.”

Macdonald said he did not expect Williams to change his mind.

“I don’t believe this. “We will honor his wishes and keep all of those reasons and conversations confidential for obvious reasons,” Macdonald said.

Second-year player Olu Oluwatimi will serve as the Seahawks’ starting center.

Williams, 27, signed with the Seahawks on August 6.

He suffered a “significant” knee injury, including an anterior cruciate ligament tear, in a Dec. 11 game for the Dolphins against the Titans. It appears Williams may have retired this offseason, but decided to return after working his way back.

Williams moved from guard to center after signing a two-year contract with the Dolphins in 2022 and has developed into a solid starting center.

The Cowboys selected Williams as a second-round pick in 2018, and Williams has appeared in 92 career games with 86 starts.