Seattle Seahawks’ starting center suddenly retires from NFL

Seattle Seahawks starting center Connor Williams surprised the team by announcing his retirement, Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said Friday.

“Connor decided to retire earlier this week,” Macdonald told reporters. “Personal reasons. We respect this. Wish him the best. We have to move forward.”

Macdonald said he didn’t think Williams would change his mind and return to the game. Macdonald declined to comment on Williams’ decision to leave the team mid-season.

“We will honor his wishes and keep all of those reasons and conversations confidential for obvious reasons,” Macdonald told reporters on Friday.

Williams, who signed a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Seahawks in August, started all nine games with the Seahawks in 2024.

Williams was selected in the second round (50th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2018 NFL draft. He spent four seasons with the Cowboys, starting at least 10 games each season. He signed a two-year, $14 million free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2022. He started all 17 games in 2022, but appeared in nine games in 2023.

Second-year pro Olu Oluwatimi will replace Williams on the roster going forward.

“We’re excited for him (the opportunity), as are other young men who have opportunities,” Macdonald told reporters Friday. “Olu is right there. He works hard and has a great opportunity. “We’re excited to see him play.”