The Chicago Bears will enter next season with a big question mark at the center position.
This will likely be one of the team’s top priorities heading into free agency, and Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder has an intriguing candidate for the team to consider: Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Connor Williams.
Williams is in his sixth year in the tournament.
He has yet to be named an All-Pro or elected to the Pro Bowl, but he has quietly become one of the most underrated O-linemen in the NFL.
“Signing Williams in free agency would give the offense a positional upgrade and one that would have a brighter future with the club considering he doesn’t turn 27 until May ,” Holder wrote on November 6.
According to Pro Football Focus, I have not allowed a sack through the first eight weeks of the season, which would be a welcome sight in the Windy City.
Connor Williams wants to be paid among the best centers in the league It’s clear from his actions that Williams wants to be paid among the best centers at his position.
He did not participate in Miami’s mandatory minicamp in hopes of being able to sign an extension.
This resulted in him being fined $93,000 and ultimately reaching no settlement.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Omar Kelly, Williams’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on WSVN’s Sports next.
He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season.
According to Spotrac, Williams is expected to sign a five-year contract worth just under $68 million.
That would pay him $13.
5 million per year and make him one of the three highest-paid centers in the NFL.
Frank Ragnow, a two-time Pro Bowl center for the Detroit Lions, also makes $13.
5 million per year.
Ragnow is the second highest-paid center in the league behind the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce, the highest-paid center in the NFL ($14.
25 million per season).
Bears O-Line could use a strong center So far this season, Williams has a run blocking grade of 81.
6 and a pass blocking grade of 70.
6 from Pro Football Focus.
In 174 pass attempts this year, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound center allowed just two rushing attempts and just one QB hit.
He still hasn’t given up on the idea of dismissal.
As Holder points out, Williams is an extremely versatile lineman and his versatility will certainly appeal to the Bears.
He played left back throughout the 2021 season, while also taking over the right back position as a rookie in 2018.
A former second-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, Williams has performed better than ever since moving under center in 2022.
A groin strain has limited Williams to five games this season, but he has been a durable player since entering the league in 2018.
He has played in 79 games (73 starts) for the Cowboys and Dolphins.
4,444 4,444 In 3,015 passes attempted during his career, he has had 14 sacks and 13 QB hits (stats via PFF).
Five of those sacks came during his rookie season, so he showed marked improvement throughout his time in the league.
At 26, Williams is still young, so the Bears will have a talented player just entering his prime.
Chicago will have the money to pay for that, too.
According to Over the Cap, the Bears are expected to have more than $82 million in cap space next season — and that’s with the new things.