DeAngelo Williams likely to be cut by Carolina Panthers?

By Patrick Schmidt | Feb 20, 2015

January 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2014 season was a forgettable and injury-plagued one for Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, but will it also be his last season with the club?

DeAngelo Williams was limited to six regular season games after injuries kept him on the inactive list for much of the season and saw Jonathan Stewart steal his starting job and made him an afterthought in the playoffs. Could we have seen the last of the Panthers’ all-time leading rusher one season after they cut aging veteran and leading receiver, Steve Smith?

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Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman was non-committal when he was asked about the future of Williams in Carolina and if the team is planning on moving forward without their first round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft who turns 32 in April.

“I spoke to DeAngelo. We had a great conversation. It’s private, it’s confidential. It’s between us,” Gettleman said, via nfl.com. “DeAngelo had a tough season. He lost his mom who he was very close to. He dedicated the season to her, and he just couldn’t stay healthy. And it was really hard for him.

“Then he broke his hand against Minnesota. That’s hard, especially when you’re 32. A 32-year-old running back in the NFL. It was extremely difficult. But he finished the season like a pro’s pro, and like a man. And I really respect DeAngelo for the way he finished it. We had our conversation and we’ll probably continue, and that’s where I’m going to leave it.”

Williams has always been a pro’s pro on and off the field, but his age, injury concerns and the presence of Stewart who is one of the highest-paid running backs in the league could force the hand for Gettleman and the Panthers.

The betting money would be on Williams being released this offseason after only rushing for 219 yards on 62 carries, none of them going for a touchdown and opening the door for Stewart to be the featured back. He’s had a great career with the Panthers and is one of the better men in the sport, but as was the case for Smith last year, the end is tough to outrun.

Stewart rushed for an average of 97 yards per game in the last five regular season games and the team’s two playoff games, including three total touchdowns.

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