Seahawks center Connor Williams suddenly retires

In a surprising move, Seattle Seahawks starting center Connor Williams abruptly retired this week, ending his seven-year NFL career. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the news to reporters on Friday.

Williams, 27, has started every game in Seattle this season after signing a one-year contract with the team in August. According to Macdonald, Williams chose to retire for “personal reasons”.

“Connor decided to retire earlier this week,” Macdonald told reporters on Friday. “(We) wish him the best and, you know, we need to move forward.”

Macdonald said there was little chance of Williams changing her mind and returning to action, and that the retirement was likely permanent. The Seahawks coach did not elaborate on the decision, aside from confirming that Williams’ retirement was due to “personal reasons.”

“We are honoring his wishes and keeping all of those reasons and conversations confidential for obvious reasons,” Macdonald said.

Williams was drafted in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys out of Texas in 2018. He spent four seasons with the Cowboys before joining the Miami Dolphins and spending two seasons there. Williams played in 92 games over seven seasons in the NFL, starting 86 of them.

Second-year player Olu Oluwatimi will take over as the Seahawks’ starting center, according to Macdonald.