After spending his first two seasons as DeShaun Foster’s backup, it looked like DeAngelo Williams would get his chance to be an every-down running back in 2008. But the Panthers spent a first-round pick on Jonathan Stewart that spring.Williams could have pouted and treated Stewart as a threat. Instead, he invited the rookie to a WWE event. That helped break the ice for the duo who eventually became ‘Double Trouble.’ A pairing that was finally broken when the Panthers released Williams last month.”It’s going to be weird,” Stewart said of the realization that his backfield mate is elsewhere. “Just coming up here today for the first team workouts and my locker buddy was gone after seven years. Obviously, it’s different, but it’s part of the business.”With Williams now in Pittsburgh, the path is clear for Stewart to continue as the Panthers’ lead back, a role he flourished in late last season. Fozzy Whittaker, Jordan Todman and Darrin Reaves are the only other tailbacks on the roster, but they could have company by next week. Not only is this year’s draft class is deep at running back, but Carolina could also play the first round like it’s 2008 again.“I’m used to sharing the backfield,” Stewart said when asked about the possibility of the Panthers adding a guy like Georgia star Todd Gurley.”Honestly, I just want to win games. Whatever that plan is – whether it’s me getting a boatload of carries or a minimum or whatever the game plan is for that week – I’ll be down for it.”

NOTES:

• Stewart added yoga and other stretching exercises to his offseason regimen last year. He believes the added focus on functional movements helped him play 13 games, his most since 2011, so he’s following a similar plan this spring and summer.

Stewart: “I’ve spent a lot of the offseason resting and being able to work out freely, which is nice.”

• When Chip Kelly went from New Hampshire to Oregon in 2007, he was Stewart’s offensive coordinator for his third and final season with the Ducks. So what’s Stewart’s view of Kelly’s chaotic offseason makeover with the Eagles?

Stewart: “He has his way about doing things, for sure. It hasn’t really hurt him throughout his whole career as a coaching. I think he knows what he wants, and he’s probably going to get it done.”