DeAngelo Williams Released by Panthers: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Longtime Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has been released, WBTV's Molly Grantham revealed on Feb. 23.

The Panthers confirmed the move on March 10.

The 31-year-old Williams has spent his entire NFL career with the Panthers since the franchise chose him 27th overall out of Memphis in the 2006 draft.

In an interview transcribed by WBTV, Williams explained the conversation he had with Carolina general manager David Gettleman in more detail:

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We sat down and he told me, 'The fact of the matter is we're going to have to release you.' I said you know, 'Why?' and he said, 'because we don't run the ball enough. Just like you said back before the season started, we don't run the ball enough to keep you and both [Jonathan Stewart], so we're going to release you.'

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According to the report, head coach Ron Rivera was also present for last week's 10-minute discussion, which was the last contact Williams had with the Panthers.

Joel Corry of The National Football Post noted some insight surrounding the team's decision:

NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal weighed in on Monday's news:

Williams would have had a cap hit of over $6 million in 2015, as NFL Network's Albert Breer pointed out:

The Charlotte Observer's Jonathan Jones added more context and compared Williams' exit to last year's release of veteran receiver Steve Smith:

Given how well Jonathan Stewart played down the stretch this last year in helping Carolina to the playoffs, it isn't a huge surprise Williams was let go.

The Panthers have a dual-threat quarterback in Cam Newton, which mitigates the need for Williams' position. Stewart's history of injuries ought to give Carolina incentive to bolster its backfield this offseason, though.

After playing in just six regular-season games and logging six carries in two playoff contests during an injury-plagued 2014 campaign, Williams can't be certain about his NFL future.  

Williams' advanced age is a positive in that he would bring a strong veteran presence and experience to any new locker room. However, his diminished skill set may not justify more than a minimal one-year contract.