The Steelers signed veteran running back DeAngelo Williamsto a two-year contract, the team announced today. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Williams is the Carolina Panthers all-time leader in rushing attempts (1,432), rushing yards (6,846), rushing touchdowns (46) and 100-yard rushing games (18). He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the first round (27th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Williams ended his Panthers' tenure holding numerous team records, including single-game rushing yards (210, at New Orleans, 12/30/12), single-season rushing yards (1,515 in 2008), single-season rushing touchdowns (18 in 2008), single-game rushing touchdowns (4, at Green Bay, 11/30/08, and, at N.Y. Giants, 12/21/08), consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (8), most 100-yard games in a single season (8 in 2008), single season total touchdowns (20 in 2008) and longest rush (77 yards, at Arizona, 11/1/09).
He has played in 117 games during the regular season with 82 starts, and has seen action in four postseason contests with two starts. In addition to his rushing totals, Williams has 178 career receptions for 1,621 yards with seven receiving touchdowns during the regular season.
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Photos of running back DeAngelo Williams. Photos by AP.
What DeAngelo Williams had to say ...*
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What are your thoughts on signing with the Steelers?
Being with one team for nine years, you know more about that organization than all the other organizations. But being released on Wednesday, then coming in here and them giving me an opportunity, I'm going to learn everything that I can about Steelers Nation. I know that they travel well because when we played them in Carolina they would fill up our stadium, and it would be half and half.
Have you had any discussions with the coaching staff about what your role could be this season?
No, but I want to come in and help them be productive on offense. Whether that means me coming off the bench, giving the offensive line water, making sure Ben Roethlisberger's towel is dry so he can wipe his hands and throw the ball better – whatever it takes for us to win a Super Bowl, I'm willing and able to do it.
Re: Being reunited with Randy Fichtner and Mike Mitchell:
It's amazing because I was just singing "Reunited and It Feels So Good" for Coach Fichtner. I don't know if he enjoyed my rendition but I thought it was pretty good. Mike Mitchell left me a message on the chalkboard before he left because when he first came to Carolina I said a few things to him and welcomed him with open arms. He just gave me the same gesture on that chalkboard because he wasn't able to be here since he was catching a flight. It's amazing just being in the building and being around all the history that surrounds this organization and meeting the legendary Rooney family.
Re: Overall excitement on joining the Steelers offense and thoughts on the upcoming season:
To help build on it, to help be productive. And not only just be productive, but to make it to the Super Bowl and win it. I haven't played in any Super Bowls and to know this is a Super Bowl-contending team and to help them make that offense even better, it excites me and I hope that it excites Steelers Nation. I think this was a great fit for me and the Steelers. I know we're going to do great things here.
Re: Le'Veon Bell:
We played him last year and I think he hit us for 150 yards-plus. Having the opportunity to be in the backfield with Jonathan Stewart and Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert – Tolbert being a Pro Bowl and All-Pro fullback, and having an opportunity to play with Jonathan Stewart as a first-round pick and seeing what Le'Veon has done on tape and what he's done in person, the sky is the limit for the guy. I just want to come in and help wherever I can in that aspect to make us better as a team.
