362 days after cutting the best receiver in their history, the Carolina Panthers released their all-time leading rusher.Running back DeAngelo Williams broke the news last month, but the team made it official Tuesday afternoon. They had to wait for the new league year to start so they could designate Williams a post-June 1 release. That expected part of the move will save the team about $2 million toward the salary cap.The Panthers pulled the Band-Aid off quicker than they did for receiver Steve Smith last year. They spent two days trying to find a last-minute trade partner before finally releasing him.Williams, the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2006, finishes his career in Carolina with 6,846 rushing yards, 1,432 rushing attempts, 46 rushing touchdowns and 18 games with 100 or more rushing yards.“DeAngelo will forever be remembered as one of the quintessential Panthers of this era,” coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. “He holds all of our running back records and his 20 total touchdowns in the 2008 season was a truly special feat. I really enjoyed watching DeAngelo grow over the past four years and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”