Connor Williams was the Phins’ best center since Mike Pouncey
From early in the Adam Gase era until now I’ve viewed the offensive line as the most critical missing key for the Miami Dolphins’ success, so the Connor Williams addition in 2022 was a breath of fresh air and hope. Besides the somewhat shakey snapping at times, boy did Connor deliver big in his time here. I was crushed when he was lost for the season and I hope like hell he returns…
… But, despite a lot of talk going on in the Phins community, I just don’t see Connor getting a new contract from the Phins for several reasons. Is it a devastating blow? No, if Aaron Brewer plays well. Still, if Chris Grier can somehow reel him in it would be huge!
The hope is that Dolphins GM Chris Grier will get Williams back in for a ‘1-Year prove-it’ deal. You can bet with the best pay per head there’s not much I’d want more than that, but I just don’t see it happening and the signing of Aaron Brewer is the #1 reason.
First, the 6’1” roughly 280lbs Brewer is ‘too small’ to play guard. He struggled a ton at guard and was moved to center by the Titans to offset his lack of size. He showed improvement at center using his speed and agility to get to the second level. No way is he moving back to guard and his roughly $8 million per season is too much to be a backup if Connor is signed and returns to form. By all indications, Miami appears set with Brewer as the starting center with Liam Eichenberg as the backup.
So, why doesn’t Connor play guard?
Connor is coming off massive weight loss and a serious injury isn’t going to transition back to guard that demands more strength and power than center on a 1-Year prove-it deal. Connor knows his best position is center and that’s where he’ll make the most money, so if he comes on a single-season, dirt cheap it would be to play center not guard. Returning to guard would be a slower transition as he works to get his strength and health back and also knocks off the rust from not having played the position in almost 3 seasons. That’s not a great recipe to prove he is worth a big new contract. Teams like the Eagles, Bears, and Chargers are in desperate need of a center and have the money to sign him to more than a dirt-cheap deal.
It’s all good if Connor doesn’t return if a few things happen
When healthy Connor is a sizable upgrade over Brewer. In some ways, Brewer is a better scheme fit than Connor, so if the Dolphins can focus him on his good traits then Phins’ fans might not miss Connor too much. Unfortunately, this will depend a lot on the guard play to allow him to get to the second level by handling their assignments. Wynn and Eichenberg need to play well this season… and stay healthy, which is never a given for Wynn. Eichenberg is almost assured the starting right guard spot if I read the tea leaves right. I’m not high on this hope, but I’m higher on him doing well at guard than at center.
Without a doubt, there is a load of uncertainty at the interior offensive line. But it could go smashing if things play out right… or it could not. While Connor was a darn good find for us, Grier, McDaniel, and Barry seem very secure with Wynn, Brewer, and Eichenberg, so let’s hope like heck they are right…
… But let’s also pray that somehow Connor returns just in case they are wrong. Go Phins!!!
