A new twist has emerged ahead of Sunday’s NFC West clash between the 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald announced Friday that starting center Connor Williams has decided to retire from the NFL effective immediately. The 27-year-old was in his seventh season, previously playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. Williams joined the Seahawks during training camp and had played every offensive snap this year after recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2023 with Miami.
In his absence, the Seahawks will turn to second-year center Olu Oluwatimi. A fifth-round pick in 2023, Oluwatimi has seen limited action this season, logging just four offensive snaps. Last year, he played 129 snaps across 16 games, including one start, but did not feature on offense in Seattle’s two matchups against San Francisco.
The Seahawks’ offensive line, already struggling this season, faces further challenges. Earlier this week, Pro Football Network ranked Seattle’s line 29th out of 32 teams—before Williams’ abrupt departure. Quarterback Geno Smith has been sacked 28 times through nine games, tied for the fifth-most in the league, with injuries at right tackle adding to the woes. Now, the unit must adjust to a significant change in its lineup.
For the 49ers, this upheaval presents an opportunity. San Francisco’s defensive line has underperformed in 2024 compared to previous seasons, hindered by a thin defensive tackle group after the departures of Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave. Facing a struggling Seahawks line, including former 49er and current Seattle left guard Laken Tomlinson, could help the unit regain its momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are benefiting from stability on their offensive line, particularly at center with Jake Brendel. Head coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized Brendel’s importance when discussing Williams’ retirement on Friday.
“The center position is huge—really, the whole O-line is—but the center and quarterback touch the ball every play,” Shanahan said. “When you lose a center, it’s tough for the quarterback and the rest of the O-line because the center makes so many calls. They’re like a second quarterback. It all depends on your backup and how comfortable you are with them.”
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