Arizona Cardinals Rival Loser Starts in Surprise Retirement

ARIZONA — When the Arizona Cardinals arrive after their bye week to face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, the home team will be without their starting center.

Connor Williams is retiring in the middle of the season, according to Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald.

“Connor decided earlier this week to retire,” Macdonald said (h/t Seattle’s Official Team Site). “Personal reasons, we respect that, we wish him the best and we have to move on.”

Seattle has two massive divisional games ahead of them, playing the San Francisco 49ers this week before hosting the Cardinals next week.

Olu Oluwatimi starts at center for Seattle.

From Seahawks’ On SI Corbin Smith:

“According to Macdonald, Williams’ decision to withdraw had nothing to do with the knee injury he was coming back from, but he chose to keep everything else that was discussed in their meeting earlier this week. As for the possibility that The veteran could change his mind, Macdonald shot down that notion and believed his decision to walk away from the fight was final.”

Williams started every game for Seattle this season.

We’ll see how the Seahawks navigate the sudden and massive change, though Arizona will have the benefit of actual film (and extended rest) against their new look before traveling to Seattle in Week 12.