The Seattle Seahawks traded veteran center Nick Harris to the Cleveland Browns for a 2026 pick swap. Seattle sent Harris to Cleveland in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, while the Seahawks received a 2026 seventh-round pick. The transaction was finalized on August 11, 2024, following Seattle’s 16-3 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Why is this trade significant?
The trade was driven by the Seahawks’ need to free up a roster spot to sign veteran offensive lineman Connor Williams from the Dallas Cowboys. This move indicates the Seahawks’ confidence in Williams as a potential solution for their center position, which Harris had been competing for, along with Olu Oluwatimi.
Harris never played for the Seahawks, having been signed in March 2024 to compete for the starting center role. He returns to the Browns, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Harris had spent the previous four seasons with Cleveland and appeared in 17 games last season, including two starts.
Seahawks’ Focus on Stabilizing Center Position
The Seahawks have struggled with a consistent center position and hope Williams will provide stability. Williams, however, is coming off a season-ending ACL injury. He previously spent four seasons with the Cowboys as a starter and the last two with the Miami Dolphins. Williams started nine games in 2023 before his injury.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson commented on August 6, 2024, that the Seahawks have cycled through centers frequently in recent years and need Williams to be a reliable option, especially with other offensive line uncertainties. Williams had an impressive 86.5 grade from Pro Football Focus for his 2023 performance.
On August 6, 2024, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Williams signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks worth up to $6 million, including $3 million guaranteed, negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha.
Expectations for Connor Williams
According to The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar, Williams is expected to be the Seahawks’ starting center by Week 1, despite ongoing concerns about his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in December. Dugar’s August 12 article notes that while Williams’ timeline is uncertain, he is projected to start with Oluwatimi as the backup. Right tackle Abraham Lucas is also recovering from knee surgery, adding to the Seahawks’ offensive line questions.
