Seahawks center Connor Williams retires from NFL midway through seventh season Nov 15, 2024

Connor Williams is moving on from football.

The seven-year veteran offensive lineman is retiring from the NFL, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald told reporters Friday.

“Connor earlier this week decided to retire,” Macdonald said. “Personal reasons. We respect that. Wish him the best. We’ve got to move forward.”

Williams spent his collegiate years in Austin, Texas, playing for the Texas Longhorns and remained in the Lone Star State when the Dallas Cowboys chose him with the 50th-overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played four seasons for the Cowboys, starting in 10-plus games in each campaign before leaving for Miami in free agency in 2022.

Williams started all 17 games for the Dolphins that season, but had his ensuing campaign cut short by a torn ACL. Left to find work elsewhere in 2024, Williams headed to the Pacific Northwest, joining the Seahawks and starting all nine games at center before deciding to walk away from the sport this week.

Williams grew into a steady interior lineman, ascending annually and logging a career-best offensive grade of 86.5, per Pro Football Focus, before suffering the knee injury in 2023. He’d found the going to be more rocky in Seattle in 2024, logging a 63.9 grade before hanging up the cleats.

Second-year pro Olu Oluwatimi will replace Williams in the lineup going forward, Macdonald said.

“We’re excited for his [opportunity], just like all these other young guys that have had opportunities,” Macdonald said of the 2023 fifth-round pick from Michigan. “Olu’s right there. He’s been working his tail off, and he’s got a great opportunity. We’re excited to see him play.”