How Long Will Phins Connor Williams Holdout!?
How long will Connor refuse to show up?
The Miami Dolphins have started their mandatory minicamp and it’s been made clear by Head Coach Mike McDaniel that Center Connor Williams will not be in attendance. The absence in of itself isn’t that big of an issue, the real issue is that it’s not an excused absence. The problematic reality is Williams is holding out to show his displeasure with his current contract and is looking for a raise. With Connor still growing into the position every rep counts…
… and he is a key piece to the weakest unit on the Phins 2023 roster.
Let’s hope this absence ends by the start of Training Camp!
Connor is a key cog in the Phins offense
Minicamp is only 3 days long, but missing all three will result in him being fined nearly $100,000. He has a cap hit of $8.375 million this year, which is the last year of the two years deal he signed with the Dolphins. He transitioned from guard to center last season and ended up playing 100% of the Dolphins’ offensive snaps. Most of the best bookie services would agree he is paid pretty well too. But, he was graded as the 4th best center in 2022 according to Pro Football Focus metrics, so it could be argued that he is underpaid as the Top 5 centers make substantially more.
In comparison, the NFL’s highest-paid Center is Jason Kelce who takes home $14.25 million per season. Bills Center Mitch Morse is an above-average center and he has the 7th highest contract at $9.75 million a season. So, Williams is in the ballpark of the contracts and is being paid the 8th highest yearly salary. Williams is most likely trying to capitalize off his solid 2022 season and parlay that into a long-term contract. If both sides can’t come to an agreement for a long-term contract, I’m sure Williams will still play this season, which is paying him as one of the top Centers in the league.
Eichenberg to the rescue!!!???
It was reported earlier in the week that Guard Liam Eichenberg has started taking snaps at Center. It now seems like the move was an insurance policy for both this season and next, if Williams wants Top 5 money. Eichenberg has struggled since entering the NFL, so it’s hard to imagine a position change to Center is going to magically make everything better for him.
But, I guess you never know.
While Miami has some additional cap space now with Byron Jones coming off the books, three other Dolphins are in line for raises as well: Zach Sieler, Robert Hunt, and Christian Wilkins. Luckily all of these players were in attendance and do not appear to be ready to hold out. Although, Sieler did miss OTAs. It will be very interesting to see how Miami plans to handle this because these players are big keys to the success of this team.
Miami’s only clear area of weakness in 2023 is the O-line
Miami had consistent issues with their Offensive Line over the years, so it was great to see them finally making a solid signing last year with Connor Williams. It would be a shame for Miami to quickly be without his services in his second season or not get a second contract. The Dolphins still have huge questions in regard to their offensive line, and possibly not having Williams at the Center in a critical Training Camp or even longer isn’t what the doctor ordered.
Miami can’t afford to take even an inch step back on the offensive line! Not when protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa must stay as healthy as possible if Miami wants to have any chance at returning to the playoffs.
Phins always like to make it exciting I guess!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about this current situation?
