The Carolina Panthers are facing one of those late-summer roster puzzles that never really feels simple, even when the numbers say it should be. Sunday’s deadline to get down to 53 players is going to force some hard choices, and one of the more surprising ones floated by an NFL analyst involves a name the Panthers only just brought in.
Carter Bahns of CBS Sports put together a list of 20 big-name veterans who could be surprise cuts, and Darren Waller made the cut on that list. His reasoning centered on age, opportunity, and a crowded tight end room.
“The unretirement tour continues for Darren Waller . Will it carry into the regular season, though?
He joined the Panthers during training camp as another option in a tight end group that disappointed in 2025, but he does not bring much upside himself as a 34-year-old whose best season is now six years in the rearview.
Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans are the top two options, so the question is whether there is room for both Ja'Tavion Sanders and Waller.”
That would be a jolt if it actually happened. Carolina signed Waller earlier in August for a reason, and the team believes he can help this offense. He also hasn’t played in a preseason game, but that doesn’t automatically signal trouble.
Still, Bahns’ point lands: Waller is 34, and roster math can get ugly fast. If the Panthers decide to keep him, it could mean sacrificing a spot somewhere else. And if they don’t, it would be one of the more eye-catching moves of cutdown day.
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