Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman would not comment Thursday at the NFL combine on whether running back DeAngelo Williams is a part of the team’s plans for 2015.
Gettleman acknowledged he’s spoken to the team’s all-time leading rusher since the season ended and that there will be more talks moving forward.
Otherwise, Gettleman was mum on whether the 31-year-old back would be a salary-cap casualty with one-year left on his deal that will count $6.3 million against this year’s total.
“I spoke to DeAngelo. We had a great conversation. It’s confidential. It’s between us," Gettleman said. “DeAngelo had a tough season. He lost his mom who he was very close to. Then came the season and he just couldn’t stay healthy. It was really hard for him.
“Then he broke his hand against Minnesota. That’s hard. Especially when you’re 32 (in April). But he finished the season like a pro’s pro and like a man’s man. I really respect DeAngelo for the way he finished it."
Gettleman took a much softer stance on Williams than he did last year at the combine when asked about all-time leading receiver Steve Smith, who ultimately was cut.
If you recall, Gettleman spoke of Smith in the past tense that day.
“Steve’s had a great career," he said a year ago. “None of us are here forever. He’s part of the evaluation."
Williams also is part of the evaluation. When you consider his age, the injuries that began to mount last season, the emergence of Jonathan Stewart as an every-down back and a salary-cap savings of $2 million, everything points to the team moving forward without him.
“We had a conversation," Gettleman said. “We’ll probably continue and that’s where I’m going to leave it."
Asked specifically if Williams would be on the team next year, Gettleman reiterated, “I’m going to leave it where I just left it."
