Dave Canales explains why Panthers signed Darren Waller

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Dave Canales explains why Panthers signed Darren Waller

Originally posted on NFL on ClutchPoints
By Lorenzo J. Reyna, ClutchPoints | Last updated Aug 13, 2026 4:45 PM ET

The Carolina Panthers believe they can squeeze one more year out of tight end Darren Waller. Carolina turned heads Wednesday in signing the past Pro Bowler . He heads to head coach Dave Canales as a 33-year-old.

But Canales didn’t take long to explain why Waller is here.

The NFC South champion head coach shared via Sheena Quick of Fox Sports 1340 AM what drove the franchise to lure in Waller.

“Just watching him over the years, he had a fantastic game here when they came last season and made some big plays against us. This is [general manager] Dan [Morgan] and I looking for ways to challenge our roster and rooms,” Canales said.

Dave Canales on the team’s intentions to sign TE Darren Waller. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/zvGzW9qxNd

— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) August 13, 2026

Canales is referring to Waller’s five-catch, 78-yard day back on Oct. 5. Waller also caught a touchdown pass in that 27-24 loss to the Panthers.

Waller ultimately became an unsigned free agent. He was never brought back by the new regime led by Jeff Hafley in Miami. So now Carolina hands Waller a chance to continue his career.

He walks into a locker room filled with players aiming for a repeat of the NFC South title. Carolina last pulled that off between 2013 to 2015. But the latter campaign saw a 15-1 season resulting in winning the conference championship.

This Panthers team features Bryce Young now running the show on offense, who’s fresh off delivering career-highs and earning his first postseason taste. Waller also will team with reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan who’s fresh off producing his first 1,000-yard campaign.

This article first appeared on NFL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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