Former Miami Dolphins starter Connor Williams is currently a free agent, exploring opportunities with potential new teams. The ex-Dolphins offensive lineman initially began his career with the Dallas Cowboys before joining Miami for the last two seasons. Zack Cook from Sports Grid forecasts that Williams will eventually join the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency.

“Connor Williams has faced significant challenges with injuries thus far. Despite his undeniable talent, these injuries have impeded his prospects in securing a new team thus far.”

During the 2023 season, Williams only participated in nine games, whereas he played in all 17 games with 17 starts for the Dolphins in 2022. Over the past four seasons, he has managed to appear in at least 16 games for three of them.

Williams is anticipated to be deliberate in his decision-making process.

Williams suffered an ACL tear in December 2023 while playing for the Miami Dolphins, raising uncertainty about his availability at the beginning of the 2024 season.

Following his injury, teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers may be awaiting a decision from Williams regarding his plans.

During an appearance on “The Joe Rose Show” in February, Williams’ agent Drew Rosenhaus mentioned they intend to approach the decision-making process deliberately.

“We plan to be meticulous and deliberate when it comes to the contract discussions,” Rosenhaus stated. “A significant factor in our decision-making could be Connor’s physical condition. It’s possible that he won’t sign during the initial stages of free agency but may take more time depending on his physical well-being.

Connor’s circumstances involve a level of unpredictability that hinges on his physical well-being. We’ll approach it day by day during the offseason, but I don’t anticipate a quick resolution compared to some other players we represent.

Williams addresses a specific gap in the Steelers’ lineup.

Heading into the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a gap to fill at the center position. The team released Mason Cole to free up nearly $5 million in cap space, but this move left a void at center.

Bringing in Williams would offer them a quality center option, as he achieved an impressive PFF grade of 86.5 with the Miami Dolphins in 2023. Despite allowing just one sack on 497 snaps, Williams was flagged for penalties seven times, ranking sixth in the league for penalties.

In an article dated March 26, Joe Kuzma of Steel City Underground highlighted the center position as one of the Steelers’ four key needs. Kuzma noted the departure of veteran C Mason Cole and addressed that although Cole outperformed his predecessor Kendrick Green, his performance fell short of the standard set by Hall of Fame-caliber players in the franchise’s recent history.

“With two new quarterbacks on the roster, securing a reliable center becomes crucial for the team. Beyond just snapping the ball, the center is typically well-versed in every aspect of a play. This knowledge will be vital for accommodating first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s strategies and ensuring smooth snaps for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. It’s possible that the Steelers might seek a versatile free agent who can play multiple positions while also focusing on bolstering the center position through the draft.”

Although a return to the Dolphins appears unlikely, as Miami previously signed Aaron Brewer to replace Williams, there is still considerable uncertainty.

According to Spotrac, Williams is estimated to have a market value of $13.5 million. While this figure may seem high, given that Williams ranks as the second-highest graded center by PFF, the investment could potentially be justified.