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Seahawks sign C Connor Williams

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 01: Connor Williams #58 of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 01: Connor Williams #58 of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks officially have a new starting center. They've agreed to terms with free-agent blocker Connor Williams. Adam Schefter reported the news on Tuesday evening. It's a one-year contract worth up to $6 million. The Seahawks guaranteed Williams $3 million. The additional $3 million is presumably available through performance-based incentives.

Yesterday, Schefter reported Williams was deciding between the Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens, with a decision coming soon. Well, whe has clearly made his choice, and he's picked the Emerald City over the Charm City.

The Seahawks have been linked to adding Williams ever since he visited the team facility in July. Williams' agent Drew Rosenhaus had recently claimed that they were in negotiations with Seattle. The sides have now reached an agreement.

Williams was still available as a free agent because he suffered a season-ending ACL injury as a member of the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 last season. Early indications are that Williams will be healthy once the regular season begins. He'll immediately step into the starting lineup when capable.

Prior to his arrival, the Seahawks had been holding an open competition at center between Nick Harris and Olu Oluwatimi. Both players had been receiving first-team reps with the offense. A healthy Williams projects as an upgrade over both players.

Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Harris and Oluwatimi were "doing great" at center following Tuesday's practice session. "I think the competition is making them both a lot better," Grubb added.

The Seahawks obviously weren't thrilled with their situation at center. If they were, they wouldn't have pursued Williams with such decisiveness. When healthy, Williams will be the starting center in Seattle. They will need him, as the defensive lines of San Francisco and Los Angeles are still going to be a lethal force to deal with - even without Aaron Donald.

It should not go unnoticed Williams chose the Seahawks over the AFC runner-ups in the Ravens. Baltimore is obviously a strong contender this year, behind reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, but the fact Williams picked Seattle likely speaks to how he sees potential in what the Seahawks are building under Mike Macdonald.

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This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks sign C Connor Williams