The Miami Dolphins fell short of their Super Bowl aspirations once again last season despite a promising start, leaving fans eager for changes in the offseason. Meanwhile, the team has been relatively quiet on the roster front, opting for strategic moves rather than major overhauls.
Recent news suggests that the Dolphins have made a move to retain Raheem Mostert for an additional two seasons. Now, attention has turned to the potential return of Conor Williams, the seasoned center who has spent the last two seasons with the Dolphins.
Dolphins keep door open for Conor Williams
There are ongoing discussions indicating that Conor Williams might return to the Miami Dolphins for another season. Both the team and the player have shown a strong interest in continuing their partnership.
Williams, who is approaching free agency after his two-season tenure with Miami, has been a key figure in the team’s lineup, earning $14.04 million in his previous contract. Amid his impending free agency status, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, hinted at a patient approach to contract negotiations.
Speaking on WSVN-Fox 7, Rosenhaus emphasized the importance of prioritizing Williams’ physical well-being in the decision-making process. He hinted that the player might not rush into signing a new contract, taking more time to assess his physical condition before committing to any offers.
“I do think that we’re going to be very methodical and take our time relative to the contract. A lot of it may be predicated on how Connor is feeling physically. He may not be a player who signs at the very start of free agency. He may take more time based on how he’s feeling physically.”
The Dolphins, despite their current cap space, have the means to create more flexibility, potentially facilitating Williams’ return. One avenue for this could be a post-June 1 relief of cornerback Xavien Howard’s contract, allowing them to allocate funds toward retaining Williams on a long-term basis.
Conor Williams’ Dolphins career
Conor Williams had high hopes for his Dolphins’ stint after signing a lucrative two-year, $14 million contract with the team on March 17, 2022. During the team’s organized activities, Conor Williams transitioned to the center position and earned the starting role ahead of Michael Deiter.
Throughout his first season in Miami, he proved his worth by starting in all 17 games for the Dolphins, making him the only player on the team to participate in 100 percent of the offensive snaps, totaling 1,057. Yet, he faced challenges, allowing three sacks and committing six penalties.
The former Cowboys player seized the opportunity to become the Dolphins’ primary center after Dan Feeney was traded to the Chicago Bears. The veteran player embraced the role and was having one of the best seasons of his career until tragedy struck.
Williams’ promising season took a devastating turn during Week 13’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans when he suffered a torn ACL just six snaps into the game. The injury abruptly ended his season and cast uncertainty over his future with the team.
A report from PFF says that before falling prey to the injury, he was ranked 33rd in offense snaps played with 497, tied for 6th in penalties with 7, and tied for 25th in sacks allowed with 1.
Would you like to see Connor Williams play for the Dolphins once again? Make sure to let us know in the comments section.
