The Miami Dolphins are hitting the practice fields at their Baptist Health Training Complex for the first of three mandatory minicamp sessions on Tuesday after they completed their organized team activities last week.
One player who wasn’t present at the voluntary sessions also won’t be making an appearance at minicamp – center Connor Williams.
Head coach Mike McDaniel spoke to the media prior to the start of Tuesday’s session, saying that Williams’ absence isn’t excused, but he has been in communication with him.
Mike McDaniel says Zach Sieler is here for mandatory camp but Connor Williams is NOT. This is not an excused absence. Connor wants a new contract. #MiamiDolphins
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) June 6, 2023
After four years as a guard with the Dallas Cowboys, the Dolphins signed Williams to a two-year, $14.04 million contract last offseason to be their starting center.
In his first season, he played 100% of the team’s offensive snaps and made it clear that he was capable of handling the responsibilities that come with the position switch.
Williams’ roughly $7 million annual cap hit puts him eighth in the league at the position behind Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse.
With the cap space that Miami recently got from the official release of cornerback Byron Jones on June 1, the team could work on an extension with the center that gives him more money up front in the form of a roster bonus, keeping his cap number lower for any future years.
