Seahawks to Face Cardinals Without Starting Center as Connor Williams Announces Mid-season Retirement
The Seattle Seahawks will have to adjust their offensive line heading into their Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, as starting center Connor Williams has announced his retirement from the NFL in the middle of the season.
The shocking news was confirmed by Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who spoke to the media on Monday about the sudden development.
Williams, who has been a staple of Seattle’s offensive line since signing with the team in the offseason, has decided to step away from the game, citing personal reasons.
The decision comes as a surprise, especially considering the timing of the announcement, which leaves the Seahawks with a significant gap to fill at the center position.
“Connor has made the difficult decision to retire, and while we respect his choice, it leaves a hole in our line that we’re going to have to address quickly,” said Macdonald during his press conference.
“We’re grateful for everything Connor has brought to the team this season, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Williams, 29, was signed by the Seahawks in March as a free agent, bringing with him a reputation for solid play and leadership. He had been a key part of an offensive line that had shown promise early in the season, providing stability for quarterback Geno Smith and helping the team’s ground game.
In his absence, the Seahawks will likely need to lean on backup options as they prepare for a pivotal game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 12.
The timing of the retirement couldn’t come at a worse moment for the Seahawks, who are coming off a tough loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 9 and are fighting to stay competitive in the NFC playoff race.
As the team heads into their matchup with the Cardinals, they’ll need to adjust their lineups and game plan to make up for the loss of Williams at center.
Seattle’s coaching staff has a few internal options to replace Williams, with veteran guard Phil Haynes potentially sliding into the center spot, or rookie Olu Oluwatimi—a 2023 draft pick—being given an opportunity to prove himself in the starting role.
However, no decision has been officially announced, and Macdonald emphasized that the coaching staff would evaluate all available options in the coming days.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, the Seahawks are optimistic about their ability to adapt. “We’ve got good depth on the line, and we’re confident in the guys who will step up,” said Macdonald. “It’s a setback, but we’ve faced adversity before, and we’re ready to move forward.”
With a bye week behind them, the Cardinals will likely look to exploit Seattle’s offensive line adjustments, making this an even more critical matchup for the Seahawks as they look to bounce back from their recent struggles.