Top NFL star on $14 million contract makes shock retirement announcement midway through season

SEATTLE Seahawks center Connor Williams has abruptly retired from football.

The former Dallas Cowboy and Miami Dolphin has struggled with injury in recent seasons.

Williams sustained a devastating knee injury in 2023 during his second season with the Dolphins that forced him out for the remainder of the year.

He seemingly recovered well from that injury, as he has played in all nine of the Seattle Seahawks’ games this season.

Seattle’s head coach Mike Macdonald said on Friday that the decision was due to personal reasons.

He also shared that he doesn’t believe that there is any chance Williams will change his mind about the retirement.

“I don’t believe so,” Macdonald said.

“We’re honoring his wishes and we’ll keep all those reasons and conversations private for obvious reasons and wish him the best.”

Williams was present at practice on Monday, but carried a non-injury designation throughout the week keeping him off the field.

Macdonald shared that Williams has been deliberating the decision throughout the week.

“It’s been a process throughout the week,” he said.

“You start getting into timetables and all that, I’d rather keep it private with… Connor and the things that he’s working through.”

NFL fans were baffled by the sudden decision, and shared their shock on social media.

“What the hell lol,” one fan said.

“Mid season retirement damn,” another fan said.

“Interesting given his drop off in performance. Think the injury is nagging?” a third fan said.

“Did not see this coming, at least till the end of the season. Hope all is OK,” a fourth fan said.

Olu Oluwatimi is expected to take over at center for the Seahawks in Williams’ absence.

The team will also get right tackle in Abe Lucas back from injury at a convenient time this week.

“We’re anticipating to see him right now in a pretty significant manner,” Macdonald said.

“We’re still on a progression here, so the amount of reps that he’s going to get, we’ll see as the game kind of unfolds.

“We have a plan. We have a target rep count. We’ll kind of leave that in-house right now, but excited to see him go do his thing.”