A year after they released the best receiver in franchise history, the Carolina Panthers have parted ways with their all-time leading rusher.According to WBTV’s Molly Grantham, the Panthers released running back DeAngelo Williams. Grantham has featured Williams in many stories about his foundation over the years, and he explained to her how his time with the organization came to an end last Monday.

“We sat down and [general manager Dave Gettleman] told me ‘The fact of the matter is we’re going to have to release you’,” Williams told Grantham. “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’.”The writing has been on the wall for Williams since late last season. Injuries limited him to just six games in 2014, when he rushed for a career-low 219 yards. When asked about Williams’ future Thursday at the NFL Combine, general manager Dave Gettleman confirmed they had talked, but he wouldn’t share many details.”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,” Gettleman said. “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.”This latest release is playing out a lot better than what happened with receiver Steve Smith last year. Gettleman accidentally dropped the first hint about that controversial decision at the combine, before he told Smith. He and many Panthers fans didn’t take that well. Williams, the Panthers first-round pick in 2006, is much more accepting of his fate.”I don’t feel bitter at all. [Jonathan 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,” Williams told Grantham. “And that business comes back and reminds us year after year – whether it be Steve Smith, whether it be [former offensive tackle] 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.”If the Panthers designate Williams as a post-June 1 release, they can save about $2 million toward their salary cap. He finishes with 1,432 rushing attempts, 6,846 rushing yards and 46 rushing touchdowns in his nine seasons in Carolina.