Panthers To Sign TE Darren Waller

Waller and the Panthers have agreed to a deal, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This is a one-year pact, he adds. Waller was out of football in 2024 but he returned and played for the Dolphins last season, making nine appearances.

Last July, the Dolphins traded away Jonnu Smith and targeted Waller as his replacement. The latter agreed to unretire as part of the trade agreement which sent him from the Giants to Miami. Waller insisted he would only consider such a move if it allowed him to play for the Dolphins and thus reunite with Darrell Bevell (who is now on Carolina’s coaching staff). He managed to do so in 2025, although Waller’s tenure in South Beach included two injured reserve stints. It has been clear since April Miami’s new regime was not looking to re-sign the 33-year-old.

During his limited game action last season, Waller managed 283 yards on 24 catches. He scored six touchdowns along the way, and Carolina will hope the former Pro Bowler can remain effective in the red zone moving forward. Waller was still attached to his old Giants contract at the time of last year’s trade, but he signed a $2MM pact upon arrival in Miami. A similarly low-risk accord is no doubt in store this time around as well.

The Panthers’ passing attack will depend in large part on Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker once again in 2026. Those receivers will be joined by the likes of Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble and James Mitchell at the tight end position. That trio combined to record just three touchdowns in 2025, so Waller will look to carve out a role as at least a red zone specialist on his new team. It will be interesting to see how large of a workload he handles leading up to the start of the season.

Injuries were common throughout much of Waller’s time with the Raiders, and his highly-anticipated Giants stint saw him only play nine games with the team. Expectations will be tempered in this case with the Panthers, a team looking to see improved offensive efficiency in 2026. A step forward on that side of the ball – coupled with Carolina’s defensive free agent investments – would go a long way in ensuring a return to the playoffs takes place this season.

The Panthers entered Wednesday near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space with roughly $8.5MM available. This Waller pact will reduce that figure but other roster tweaks through the summer could still take place.