Tag: Connor Williams

Nick Harris trade signals Seahawks faith in Olu Oluwatimi

Nick Harris trade signals Seahawks faith in Olu Oluwatimi

The Seattle Seahawks traded center Nick Harris along with a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection. The trade occurred one day after Harris earned the start at center in Seattle’s preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The move proves that the franchise has a ton of faith in sophomore center Olu Oluwatimi.

Up until a few days ago, Harris and Oluwatimi were entrenched in a heated position battle for the starting role. Their competition essentially ended when the Seahawks signed free-agent center Connor Williams to a one-year contract on August 6th. With Williams yet to officially report to Seattle, it was Harris that started Saturday’s preseason game.

Despite Harris getting the first-team nod, he was swiftly replaced by Oluwatimi. Harris played just 12 snaps before making way for Oluwatimi, who totaled 45 sizable snaps. Perhaps the agreement with Cleveland began being discussed during the game!

Williams is still recovering from a season-ending torn ACL injury suffered in Week 14 as a member of the Miami Dolphins last season. The Seahawks expect Williams to be ready for Week 1 versus the Denver Broncos, but serious knee injuries are tricky, particularly for big linemen. Trading away Harris proves how much faith Seattle has in Oluwatimi’s ability to fill in at center if necessary.

Pro Football Focus credited Oluwatimi with allowing just one quarterback pressure and one sack en route to an above-average pass protection grade of 64.2. Oluwatimi struggled as a run blocker, earning a grade of 47.0 despite the Seahawks rushing for 156 yards (they did get stuffed on back-to-back runs on third and fourth down during the opening drive of the third quarter).

All in all, it was a solid performance for Oluwatimi, who the Seahawks have even more invested in following the Harris trade.

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Seahawks trade C Nick Harris back to Browns

Seahawks trade C Nick Harris back to Browns

Going into the 2024 preseason, one of the more intriguing position battles was center. Before camp, the battle was presumed to be between Nick Harris and 2023 NFL draft pick Olu Oluwatimi. Well, it seems the battle has been won… by neither of them.

The Seahawks signed free agent center Connor Williams, who was a starter for the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, on August 6th. It appears Seattle is confident enough in what Williams brings to the table that they have decided their center positional battle. The most recent move has been trading Nick Harris back to the Cleveland Browns, where he spent the first four seasons of his career.

During Seattle’s 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, they ran the ball exceptionally well. However, the one area they faltered specifically in was their lone goal line situation. The Seahawks took the opening drive of the third quarter all the way to LA’s one-yard line, but could not punch it in on 3rd and 4th down, resulting in back to back stuffed runs.

The offensive line clearly needs work, and Williams looks to be an answer. As for Harris, the preseason isn’t just an audition for the team you are on, it is an audition for the rest of the League as well. Now he heads back to Cleveland, and the Seahawks have a settled center position.

Seems like a win-win to me.

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Mike Macdonald gives an update on free agent center Connor Williams

Mike Macdonald gives an update on free agent center Connor Williams

The Seattle Seahawks could be bolstering their interior offensive line with legitimate depth. On Tuesday, the Seahawks hosted former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins center Connor Williams for a visit. The next day, it was reported the two sides began negotiating. Although nothing is considered imminent, it is still a good sign, especially since Seattle recently worked out another contract with safety Julian Love, who is represented by the same agent as Williams.

During today’s training camp practice, head coach Mike Macdonald took to the media to give a quick update on where things stand with the free agent Williams. While Macdonald did not go in specifics, it does seem as if the two sides are progressing towards a union.

As a prospect, I am incredibly excited to see what Oluwatimi can provide to the Seahawks. However, with only 128 snaps played last year, there is plenty of seasoning left to do with the former Michigan Wolverine. Adding Williams into the mix can help progress this, especially with the aforementioned position versatility.

Seahawks Wire will continue to update this story as news progresses.

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Seahawks extend safety Julian Love 

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DK Metcalf ranked No. 84 on NFL’s Top 100 list

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Julian Love ranked No. 95 on NFL’s Top 100 list 

Seahawks extend S Julian Love with a three-year, $36 million contract

Seahawks extend S Julian Love with a three-year, $36 million contract

It has been a major week for Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love. On Monday, Love was named the No. 95 overall player on the annual NFL Top 100 list, his first appearance on the coveted ranking. Three days later, he was given something much more valuable: job security.

It was announced late Wednesday evening that the Seahawks extended their Pro Bowl safety to a brand new contract. Love will now be playing under a three-year extension worth up to $36 million.

Seattle signed Love last offseason to a two-year, $12 million contract. He was largely seen as an “insurance” signing with Jamal Adams returning from a season ending injury from 2022. Instead, Love clearly outplayed his contract. Last year, Love started 12 of 17 total games and earned his first Pro Bowl bid.

Now, the 26-year-old will be under contract with the Seahawks for the next four seasons. It is a period of change for Seattle, but clearly Love has earned his keep as a player the Seahawks want to stick around during the early years of the Mike Macdonald era.

One major point to note… Schefter, in the Tweet above, made sure to mention Love’s agent Drew Rosenhaus. Why is this important? Well, Love isn’t the only one with Rosenhaus as an agent. Current free agent center, Connor Williams, is also represented by Rosenhaus.

Why, yes, the very same Connor Williams who is currently negotiating with Seattle and is at Seahawks head quarters in Renton at the time of this article being written. With a deal being made between John Schneider and Rosenhaus, it is evident both sides are currently in a good working relationship.

Perhaps Love won’t be the only client Rosenhaus delivers for this week.

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Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald gives update on Abe Lucas

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald gives update on Abe Lucas

The first practice of training camp is officially in the books for the Seattle Seahawks. The taste of football is in the air as we inch closer and closer each day to kick off. Seeing the team back in action, even if it is simply practice, is always a great sight this time of year.

Unfortunately, not all of it is necessarily good news. The Seahawks are still dealing with lingering health issues with starting right tackle Abe Lucas, and it seems this is something they are going to have to wait out.

Head coach Mike Macdonald spoke to the media after practice today and gave a quick update to Lucas, who is starting camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Regrettably, it was not the most positive update.

The health of the Washington State alumn has become a considerable issue for the Seahawks, and one that cost them dearly last year. Lucas missed the first half of the 2023 campaign thanks to a Week 1 injury against the Los Angeles Rams. Although he was able to return for the last few games, Seattle’s offensive line felt his absense each week.

Lucas had knee surgery this past winter, so it is not a great sign he is still in recovery here in late July. Perhaps this delay is the reason why the Seahawks are focusing on adding free agent center Connor Williams, who is in the building negotiating with the front office.

As for Lucas, here is hoping the Seahawks won’t have to wait too much longer for him to be healthy enough to take the field.

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Seahawks have begun negotiating with FA center Connor Williams

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Seahawks have begun negotiating with free agent center Connor Williams

Seahawks have begun negotiating with free agent center Connor Williams

Yesterday, the Seattle Seahawks hosted free agent center Connor Williams for a visit. Today, things are progressing towards a potential union between the two sides.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported Williams passed his physical with Seattle, and negotiations have begun. However, it is important to note Schefter is saying Williams is still speaking with other teams.

Williams tore his ACL in Week 14 last season, so it is incredibly encouraging he has passed a physical with the Seahawks. While a deal may not be imminent, as Schefter says, the fact he is in the building is a good sign that terms can be reached.

Seattle desperately needs to improve the interior of their offensive line. Evan Brown, the starter from last year, was not the answer. As for second year pro Olu Oluwatimi, there are high hopes, but his NFL experience is limited. In his rookie campaign, Oluwatimi only played 128 snaps.

As I mentioned on Monday, adding Williams into the mix will be a great thing for this offensive line. The Seahawks have lacked legitimate depth at the center position for years. When going against the defensive lines of San Francisco and Los Angeles, Seattle is going to need to improve drastically.

Hopefully, the Seahawks will become Williams’ next NFL home.

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Seahawks to meet with free agent C Connor Williams

Seahawks to meet with free agent C Connor Williams

The Seattle Seahawks are always in the market to improve their offensive line, and perhaps more help is coming there way. Late Monday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seahawks are going to host former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins center Connor Williams on Tuesday, as he is currently a free agent.

Tuesday, July 23rd is the official start of training camp in Seattle.

Williams was originally a second round pick by the Dallas Cowboys during the 2018 NFL draft. He spent the first four years of his career in Big D, before signing a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. In Miami, Williams switched from being a left guard to center, where he was the starter for both seasons with the Dolphins.

Now, Williams, age 27, heads to the Pacific Northwest to see if the Emerald City is his next NFL home. Williams unfortuantely tore his ACL in Week 14 last season and ended the year on injured reserve. His injury has undoutebly impacted negotiations with the Dolphins, and with a return seemingly unlikely, he is seeking a potential fresh start elsewhere.

In June, Schefter reported Williams expects to be ready for the start of the season, despite such a devastating injury. Should the Seahawks come to terms with Williams, he will be thrust into one of the more intriguing position battles on the team.

As it stands, the starting center position seems up for grabs between second year pro Olu Oluwatimi and former Cleveland Browns lineman Nick Harris. With Williams in the mix, who has started 77 out of 83 total NFL games, it will give Seattle unprecedented depth at one of the most critical positions along the offensive line.

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Tyreek Hill thinks Connor Williams took the Dolphins ping-pong table

Did free agent center Connor Williams take the Dolphins’ ping-pong table on his way out the door?

Connor Williams left the Miami Dolphins earlier this year and he took the team’s ping-pong table with him. At least, that’s what wide receiver Tyreek Hill thinks happened.

“We never found out what really happened to the ping-pong table,” Hill said last week in an appearance on ESPN’s NFL Live. “Here’s my assumption: I feel like Connor Williams took our ping-pong table and now he left the team so I have no contact with him.”

The disappearance of the ping-pong table from the Dolphins locker room actually dates back to the end of the 2022 season. Head coach Mike McDaniel was asked about it after the team won its Week 17 game to improve to 9-8 and earn a spot in the playoffs.

“I’m out of the loop and have no idea,” McDaniel said. “I think somebody mentioned something to me maybe the end of last week or maybe yesterday. I can’t even remember. It was like, ‘hey, the ping-pong table is gone.’ I was like, ‘oh, really? Where’s the ping-pong table?’ That’s what I want to know. Who stole the ping-pong table? Was it a thievery?”

The truth is likely that McDaniel had the ping-pong table taken from the locker room amid a five-game losing streak that had the Dolphins in jeopardy of ending the year below .500. And Hill is probably pointing the finger at Williams because he’s a free agent, who doesn’t appear likely to return to the Dolphins in 2024.

For now, though, the mystery of the ping-pong table endures.

Connor Williams ‘not likely’ to re-sign with Dolphins, per his agent

NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus said his client Connor Williams probably won’t be back in Miami next year.

After missing about half of the 2023 season due to injury, former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Connor Williams has spent the past few months sitting on the free agent market.

With training camp not far off on the horizon, Williams’ agent Drew Rosenhaus told WSVN’s Josh Moser that a return to Miami isn’t likely for the interior offensive lineman.

“On behalf of Connor, I’m sure he’d be open to it, but I wouldn’t say that it’s likely that he would return here with the Dolphins,” Rosenhaus said. “I certainly wouldn’t rule anything out, but the Dolphins signed a fine center in Aaron Brewer from the Tennessee Titans and made a big investment.”

Williams was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 and spent the first four years of his career there. But ahead of the 2022 NFL season, Williams signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Dolphins.

After spending the majority of his time in Dallas as an offensive guard, Williams was moved to the center position with the Dolphins and played his best football. He had a then-career-high 78.4 Pro Football Focus grade in 2022 and an 86.5 grade in 2023 before his season-ending ACL injury in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans.

Despite the late injury, Williams is on pace to be ready for the beginning of the season, according to Rosenhaus.

“Connor has had remarkable recovery, nothing short of miraculous, really looking good for the start of the season,” Rosenhaus told Moser. “There’s a lot of teams interested in him. But I’m just delighted for Connor. Did not anticipate him going to training camp with the team and felt like it might be something during the season before he played. But now he’s done an awesome job and we’re gonna see Connor Williams in someone’s training camp.”

While Williams looks to be nearing a return from injury, it seems less likely he will be rejoining the Dolphins, especially as he looks for an opportunity to play center again.

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Why the Bears should consider signing center Connor Williams

The Bears should consider upgrading at center with veteran Connor Williams.

The Chicago Bears are trying to find success at the center position. It’s one of the most important positions on the field, and Chicago doesn’t have a long-term answer there yet. With a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams, the Bears want to make sure he has the tools he needs to succeed.

During the offseason, Chicago made some moves to shore up the offensive line. They traded for Buffalo Bills interior lineman Ryan Bates and signed former Los Angeles Rams center Coleman Shelton. Both are in the middle of a battle for the starting center position, while also providing depth along the interior.

If the Bears are still trying to make an upgrade at the position before camp starts, they might want to consider signing Connor Williams, who is currently still a free agent. Williams spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys before spending the last two with the Miami Dolphins.

Earlier this week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Williams was healthy after having season-ending knee surgery after nine games in 2023. Williams wants to sign before training camp and has a handful of teams to choose from. Schefter did not, however, name-drop a team.

While Chicago has already made moves to improve the offensive line this offseason, it would make sense for the Bears to at least inquire about Williams given the question marks along the interior.

Not everything is going to go smoothly for Chicago’s offense right away, but having a solid veteran like Williams play center could help things move along quicker. The one guy who is guaranteed to touch the football first on every play is surely important, and the Bears shouldn’t stop trying to improve until they get a viable option in place.