Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has revealed that the club have informed him that he will be released.
The 31-year-old has been with the Panthers since he was selected in the first round of the 2006 Draft, and has enjoyed a successful nine-year career with the NFC South side.
However, after meeting with general manager Dave Gettleman, Williams will now be looking for a new club when he is released from his contract, which may take place in June in order to save the Panthers money against the salary cap.
"We sat down and [Gettleman] told me 'The fact of the matter is we're going to have to release you,'" Williams told WBTV.
"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.'
"I don't feel bitter at all. [Stewart] had the hot hand at the end of the season. He's a great running back, obviously. I don't feel bitter at all. It's a business. And that business comes back and reminds us year after year - whether it be Steve Smith, whether it be Jordan Gross, whether it be myself - it's going to happen to every guy in that locker room, so it doesn't bother me at all."
Williams recorded 6,846 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns in his nine seasons with the Panthers.
Simon Sinclair
