Carolina Panthers And Darren Waller

Michael serves as TWSN’s site manager, covering everything from the NFL to MLB. Fantasy football remains his biggest passion, with his writing career beginning during his time at Ohio State University.

When it was announced that the Miami Dolphins were trading for tight end Darren Waller, pulling him out of retirement in the process, many NFL fans and analysts were scratching their heads.

After all, Waller was 32 years old at the time of the trade, hadn’t played since 2023, and hadn’t been particularly impactful in several years.

The situation got even cloudier when a hip issue kept Waller sidelined for much of the preseason and the first three weeks of the regular season.

But when Waller did hit the field, he quickly silenced the critics. He proved that he certainly has some gas left in the tank, and now that he’s a free agent, he could be an impactful addition for an offense in need of a tight end.

One team that fits that mold is the Carolina Panthers.

TWSN Answers

After coming out of retirement, Darren Waller put together a strong season with the Miami Dolphins in 2025.
Waller didn’t do much in terms of yardage, but his six touchdowns made a real impact on the Dolphins’ offense.
His knack for finding the endzone would be valuable for the Carolina Panthers.

TWSN Quick Facts

League: NFL
Player: Darren Waller
Position: Tight End
Contract Status: Free Agent
Potential Team: Carolina Panthers

How Darren Waller Fits The Carolina Panthers

Before jumping into the Panthers’ specific needs, let’s take a closer look at what Waller did in Miami last season.

Darren Waller’s 2025 Season in Review

Waller’s 2025 campaign was largely defined by injuries. The aforementioned hip issue cost him three games to open the year, a pec injury landed him on IR after Week 7, and he went back on IR ahead of Week 18 with a groin issue.

He ultimately suited up for just nine games, but that was enough for him to make his presence felt.

In those nine games, Waller was not utilized as an every-down player. In fact, he was quite far from it, falling below a 40-percent snap share four times.

His role saw him serving as a passing-downs and red-zone specialist. While Waller’s snap share was low, his route rate eclipsed 50 percent in six of nine games, and he garnered seven targets in the red zone over the course of the season, despite running just 23 routes in the red area.

Although that sort of usage didn’t allow Waller to stuff the stat sheet, he played his role quite well.

Those seven red-zone targets turned into six touchdowns, showing that he’s still the big-bodied presence who can box out smaller defenders and play above the rim to haul in receptions.

Welcome back, Darren Waller.

What a play. pic.twitter.com/JytLuBBl3V

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2025

Again, Waller isn’t going to be the focal point of a passing attack or anything that even comes close to resembling that. But a team that needs a matchup nightmare near the goal line would surely welcome his services.

Why The Panthers Could Use Darren Waller

The Panthers’ tight end room isn’t chock-full of talent. The group is led by Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders, neither of whom has done much of anything, at least from a receiving standpoint, in the NFL.

Waller isn’t head-and-shoulders above either of those two at this point in his career, and given what we saw last year, there’s no knowing how many games Carolina could get out of him.

Still, the Panthers should consider rolling the dice, signing him to an inexpensive, one-year deal.

Why? Well, Waller could help alleviate an issue that plagued Carolina last season.

In 2025, the Panthers drove down to the red zone 45 times, converting those 45 opportunities into 24 touchdowns. That 53.3-percent touchdown rate ranked just 24th in the NFL last season.

Moving forward, nobody is expecting Bryce Young to lead an offense that’s leading the league in red-zone drives, but when they get there, they simply have to score touchdowns.

Red-zone efficiency regularly decides the outcome of games, and the Panthers need to improve in that area.

As we’ve discussed, Waller remains a real factor when the field condenses and defenses tighten up.

Waller wouldn’t be challenging guys like Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker for targets, but he offers a skill set that could truly elevate the Panthers’ offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s some more information on Waller.

How Old is Darren Waller?

Darren Waller is 33 years old, and he’ll turn 34 early in the 2026 NFL season.

Did Darren Waller Retire From The NFL?

Yes, Waller initially retired after the 2023 season. However, he returned to the NFL in 2025 after being traded to the Miami Dolphins.

Is Darren Waller Currently a Free Agent?

Yes, Waller is currently a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins.

What Teams Could Sign Darren Waller In Free Agency?

Teams in need of tight end help, like the Carolina Panthers, could pursue Waller. Other contenders looking for a veteran red-zone target may also show interest.

Carolina Panthers And Darren Waller

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