One week ago today the Seattle Seahawks and their fans got a huge surprise when head coach Mike Macdonald informed reporters that veteran center Connor Williams had decided to retire from the NFL. While Williams had sat out the previous two days of practice due to “personal reasons” there was otherwise no warning at all that he was considering hanging his cleets up for good.
We still haven’t heard from Williams yet to hear his side of the story, but thanks to an interview on Richard Sherman’s podcast with starting quarterback Geno Smith we now have at least a little more to go on. Apparently Williams was dealing with some mental health issues and decided that walking away was the best thing for his health. Here’s what Geno told Sherm about it.
Geno Smith on Connor Williams’ retirement
“For Connor man, like you know for mental health – and we always talk about this – but it’s the most important thing. It’s number one on our priority list and Connor’s our brother. And he was hurting, man. I don’t want to go too much depth but it was the decision that he felt he needed to make. He called me and we talked about it. I told him that I would support him whatever he did and appreciated his hard work and everything he’s done protecting me and just going to practice very day and laying it on the line.. when guys make those type of decisions yeah I mean it sucks in the moment but I feel for those guys because I know how much of a struggle it can be and how tough things are…”
For what it’s worth we do know that Williams was not happy with his performance on the field. One month before his decision Williams told reporters that he’s a perfectionist and was nowhere near where he needed to be. We don’t know if that’s the reason Williams decided to hang it up, but either way we respect his decision and wish him the best.
Olu Oluwatimi next man up at center
With Williams out the Seahawks started second-year lineman Olu Oluwatimi out of Michigan, and he had a strong 2024 debut, especially as a run blocker. Oluwatimi wound up earning the team’s second-highest grade on offense this past week after wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njgiba.
Signing Williams just before the season began looked like a great move at the time but it was always in the team’s best interest for Oluwatimi to develop into a long-term starter at this spot. Combined with the return of right tackle Abe Lucas to the lineup, the offensive line had arguably its best game of the season against the 49ers.
