In surprising fashion, Seattle Seahawks starting center Connor Williams abruptly retired this week, ending his seven-year NFL career midway through the season. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the news to reporters on Friday.
Williams, who is 27 years old, has started every game for Seattle this season after signing a one-year deal with the team in August. According to Macdonald, Williams made the choice to retire for “personal reasons.”
Seahawks starting C Connor Williams is retiring for personal reasons, coach Mike Macdonald said.
Williams is 27 and has started every game for Seattle this season. pic.twitter.com/FNdHjVq2dT
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 15, 2024
“Connor decided to retire earlier this week,” Macdonald told reporters on Friday. “[We] wish him the best, and you know, we’ve got to move on.”
Macdonald said it is highly unlikely that Williams will change his mind and return to the field, and that this retirement was likely permanent. Other than confirming that Williams’ retirement was for “personal reasons,” the Seahawks coach did not elaborate on the thinking behind the decision.
“We respect his wishes and are keeping all those reasons and conversations private for obvious reasons,” Macdonald said.
Williams was drafted out of Texas as a second-rounder by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. He spent four seasons with the Cowboys before joining the Miami Dolphins and spending two seasons there. During seven seasons in the NFL, Williams played in 92 games and started 86.
According to Macdonald, second-year player Olu Oluwatimi will take over the starting center for the Seahawks.
