Seattle Seahawks center Connor Williams shockingly retires just days before facing rival San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks starting halfway Connor Williams has retired from the NFL owed to idiosyncratic reasons, caput manager Mike Macdonald revealed Friday.

'So Connor aboriginal this week decided to retire. Personal reasons, and we respect that,' Macdonald told reporters. 'Wish him the best, and we've got to determination forward.'

Asked if helium expects Williams to alteration his mind, Macdonald expressed doubts.

'I don't judge so,' Macdonald said. 'We volition grant his wishes and support each those reasons and conversations backstage for evident reasons.'

The 27-year-old Williams volition beryllium replaced successful the starting lineup by second-year subordinate Olu Oluwatimi. Seattle heads to Santa Clara this play for Sunday's crippled against the rival San Francisco 49ers.

A autochthonal Texan who played assemblage shot for the Longhorns, Williams was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys successful the 2nd circular of the 2018 NFL Draft. Video of Williams kneeling and weeping aft learning the quality rapidly went viral aft helium was selected.

Unfortunately, Williams battled a bid of genu injuries portion shifting betwixt near defender and center.

He'd yet motion with the Miami Dolphins arsenic a escaped cause successful 2022 and played 2 seasons successful South Florida earlier joining the Seahawks successful August.

Williams earned $24 cardinal implicit parts of 7 NFL seasons. Fortunately for him, NFL players go afloat vested successful the league's status program aft playing 3 seasons.

While the reasoning down his determination remains unclear, Williams has nevertheless go a people among fans online.

'He's been snapping the shot implicit [quarterback Geno Smith's] caput lately so…' 1 instrumentality remarked.

'So lame to discontinue mid season,' different added. 'It's similar a dishonorable discharge.'

The Seahawks are tied for past successful the NFC West astatine 4-5, but inactive person hopes of reaching the postseason.

Seattle has allowed 28 sacks this play – much than each but 8 teams – portion ranking 27th successful the NFL by averaging conscionable 91.2 rushing yards a game.