The Panthers spent most of their offseason money on defense, but the move that could end up mattering most for the offense came later: Darren Waller.
Carolina entered training camp with a clear idea of where the offense is headed. Bryce Young is still developing, Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks are splitting the work in the backfield, and the passing game has been moving in the right direction after strong finishes from Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Even so, one spot stood out as a problem from the start.
The tight end room was the weak link.
Mitchell Evans, Tommy Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders have been grouped together as the NFL’s worst tight end room, and the numbers back it up. Those three combined for just over 600 yards in 2025, with Tremble leading the group at 249 receiving yards. Carolina looked at other options, getting connected to Jonnu Smith and David Njoku, but never landed either one.
So the Panthers finally went veteran, signing Waller.
He may not be at the front end of his career anymore, but there’s still real juice in his game. In just nine appearances in 2025, Waller caught 6 touchdowns, which was more than the Panthers tight ends produced as a group, with 5. He also finished with 283 receiving yards, topping any individual Carolina tight end.
That production wasn’t just a box score boost. Waller’s value has always been tied to what he does as a receiver - the kind of tight end who can stretch the field vertically and punish defenses near the goal line.
Last season, Pro Football Focus gave him an 87.6 receiving grade, the second-best mark among tight ends in the NFL. Only George Kittle finished higher.
If Waller earns a spot on the final roster - and that remains an if - he gives Carolina something its offense has been missing. The Panthers ranked 14th in red zone offense in 2025, and Waller brings a different threat to that part of the field. He also has time to build chemistry with Bryce Young and get comfortable in Brad Idzik’s offense before Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
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Panthers Still Have 1 Preseason Problem At Every Level
Two preseason games in, Carolina is still sorting out a few of the places where the depth chart is supposed to start taking shape, and linebacker remains one of the clearest examples. The staff is evaluating a close battle for the LB2 role next to Devin Lloyd, with Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace both getting a long look as the Panthers try to settle one of the most important spots on the defense before the regular season arrives.
There is similar uncertainty on the offensive side, where the team is working through a new system under Brad Idzik and Bryce Young while also figuring out how the running backs will be used. The latest complication comes with Darren Waller, who signed recently but is still learning the playbook, leaving his status for roster cuts another part of a broader preseason puzzle that still has pieces missing at every level. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Young Enters Carolinas Biggest Debate Yet
Bryce Young is heading into the kind of season quarterbacks usually spend years trying to avoid, a year when every throw feels tied to bigger questions about the Carolina Panthers future. The roster around him has improved enough to create optimism, especially on defense, and the team has added some offensive help, but the situation still asks Young to carry a heavy load while proving he can be the long-term answer.
Even with those upgrades, the support system is far from settled, which is why this season carries so much weight for both sides. Carolina can talk about development and patience, but the reality is Young has to show real progress in a lineup that still has holes and depth concerns, or the conversation quickly shifts from an extension to the possibility of another reset at quarterback. [Read more 🡒]