Seahawks second-best move of the offseason vastly improves the offensive line
By Lee Vowell
The Connor Williams deal is done. According to ESPN and other various news outlets, Williams signed with the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday for one year and $6 million. $3 million of the contract is guaranteed, a relatively low number for a player who has been so good at his position in the last two seasons.
That position is center where there should be no hem-and-haw about Williams taking over the starting spot. Second-year player Olu Oluwatimi has been running on the first team through training camp, but Williams has proven to be better over the course of his career. Williams has played left and right guard as well, but his best spot is center.
Center is also where Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Williams would play after the center visited with Seattle in late July. And why not? If not for an injury to his knee in Week 14 of 2023, Williams was trending toward a Pro Bowl-type season. Adding Williams is the team's second-best move of the offseason only behind the hiring of head coach Mike Macdonald.
Seattle Seahawks sign veteran center Connor Williams to a one-year deal
He appeared in nine game for the Miami Dolphins and he did not allow more than one quarterback pressure in any game. He allowed six total in 280 pass-block snaps. In 2022, Williams allowed just 15 total pressures in 676 pass-block reps. According to Pro Football Focus (paywall alert), Williams was the second-highest-graded center in the NFL last year.
As well as Williams held up in pass protection, he was even better as a run-blocker. His versatility overall, though, made him PFF's top-ranked free agent center on the market this year. He likely would have earned a much higher contract has he not torn his ACL. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, expects Williams to definitely be ready to play by Week 1 of the 2024, if not before.
Next. Winners and losers from the Seahawks annual mock game. Winners and losers from the Seahawks annual mock game. dark
The center also does not have a history of being hurt and is only 27 years old. He did not miss any games between 2021 and 2023. Though he signed just a one-year deal with the Seahawks, the hope is probably that he will play at a high level again this season and Seattle can sign him to a longer-term deal next offseason.
Williams instantly become the best center Seattle has had since at least Max Unger. His experience and efficiency is going to make the players around him on the offensive line better as well. One of the biggest concerns heading into the season was the offensive line. Adding Williams greatly improves the line and if right guard gets fixed, Seattle's O-line could be a strength this year.
More Seattle Seahawks analysis:
manual