The Seattle Seahawks have got their guy. After weeks of negotiations and free agent intrigue, the team has agreed to terms of a one-year deal with former Miami Dolphins center Connor Williams, according to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN. The deal includes $3 million in guarantees and is worth up to a total of $6 million.
Williams gives Seattle's roster a massive boost right where it needed the most help: in the middle of an offensive line that's ranked as one of the worst in the league this year. Thus far this offseason the battle to replace Evan Brown as the team's starting center had taken place between Olu Oluwatimi - who played just 128 snaps as a rookie - and Nick Harris - who has four starts in his NFL career. Signing a more-experienced option was the logical choice.
Adding the proven comoodity that is Williams makes sure that the Seahawks have a solid leader and communicator to lead what is mostly a young and inexperienced offensive line, with the exception of long-time veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson.
Last season Williams only played in nine games before a knee injury cut his season short. However, Pro Football Focus gave him a very strong overall 86.5 grade in 2023, including a 90.5 mark in run blocking, which was the second-best in the league at the position.
That's an added bonus but what Williams and the rest of Seattle's front five will be primarily judged on is their pass protection - which has been a serious issue each of the last two seasosn with Geno Smith as the starting quarterback. If they can keep him upright long enough for Ryan Grubb's deep passing attack to open up the sky will be the limit for this offense in 2024.
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