Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has restructured his contract in a move that could keep the 2006 first-round pick out of Memphis with the team through the 2015 season, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
Given the team's depth at the position and Williams' salary, his future with the Panthers had been in doubt. The Panthers could have designated Williams a "post-June 1" release at any time this offseason and doing so would have saved $5 million in cash and cap space on June 2. Instead, the Panthers have guaranteed Williams $4 million and increased his potential "dead" money from $9.6 million to $14.6 million, all but assuring him a spot on their roster in 2013. The deal increases the chances that Williams will remain in the fold through the 2015 season as his base salaries become reasonable and commensurate with a reduced role in the Panthers' offense moving forward.
This restructured deal ensures that Williams will be around to stunt Jonathan Stewart's fantasy value in the short term.