NFL trade deadline: DeAngelo Williams expected to stay put

Williams is currently averaging 3.4 yards per carry and 30 yards per game, below his 2011 number of 52.3 yards per game and well below the career high of 94.7 he posted in 2008. Stewart isn’t faring much better, averaging 3.5 yards per carry and 36.8 per game. Carolina’s rushing attack ranks square in the middle of the league, 15th at 114 yards per game.

PFT explains that trading Williams, who has already lost his spot on the depth chart, would remove over $17 million in future salaries and would clear up space for a new general manager to rebuild the team in 2013 and 2014. The Panthers aren’t in a hurry to move Williams, but would consider it if an attractive deal materializes.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Williams brushed off trade questions from the media Wednesday. When asked how he deals with trade talks, he said “by doing what I’m doing right now. Going to work.”