Dec 23, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs the ball during during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

DeAngelo Williams is a prime candidate to be cut by the Carolina Panthers for salary cap purposes. The Panthers have too many running backs on the roster and Williams is taking up too much room on the cap. They could free up a nice chunk of change by setting him free.

Now, IF/WHEN the Panthers cut him loose, should the San Diego Chargers explore the idea of adding him to the roster to compete for playing time with Ryan Mathews?

Heck yea they should! And there really wouldn’t be a competition. Williams would be the starter!

Williams doesn’t have too much wear-and-tear on that body since he has been splitting time with Jonathan Stewart for so long. I would think that DeAngelo would immediately become the starter and Ryan would be the change of pace back. Since Ryan isn’t really best used as a pass catcher or a pass blocker, don’t know when that change of pace would take place.

Williams is 29 years old and is getting close to that magical age in which running backs start to fall apart. He won’t have that many more seasons left under his belt, but there are at least a couple of seasons of good tread on those tires. Bring him in.

Dec 23, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) stands on the field during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Raiders 17-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Will Melvin Ingram turn out to be a stud in this league? We should find out this coming season. Shaun Phillips is a free agent and the Chargers may not bring him back. If Phillips does return, Ingram should benefit from getting work in the offseason and should also benefit with the change in the coaching staff. The previous head coach didn’t like to send out young players onto the field.

This year’s defensive rookie of the year is Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly. He led the league in tackles as a rookie and he started all 16 games. The award was well deserved. Congrats to Kuechly. Hopefully our boy Melvin will make some good things happen for us next season.

November 18, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn talks with Cincinnati Bengals assistant special teams coach Hue Jackson before the game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bengals won 28-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers have asked for permission to speak with Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach Hue Jackson for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per Albert Breer. The New York Jets also could be interested in Jackson

Jackson has been linked to a couple of head coaching candidates that the Chargers will be talking to. He is one of the brightest offensive minds that is available for a possible OC.

In Jackson’s tenure in Oakland, he was able to make Jason Campbell look good. He also made that offense a machine running the football. In 2012 when Jackson was the OC in Oakland, the Raiders finished sixth in the NFL in scoring and finished 10th in the NFL in yards per game. The Raiders had a 6-0 record against the AFC West that season.

He became the head coach in the 2011 season and was able to lead them to an 8-8 record. He was ridiculed for his roster decisions and was fired when a new GM was brought to town.

If he is available when the Chargers finally select the head coach, he would be an awesome offensive coordinator to bring in. We have to find our head coach first though.