Panthers Sign Darren Waller to One-Year Deal Following 6-TD Season in Miami

Former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller agreed to a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday after posting 283 yards in nine games last year.

The Carolina Panthers and free agent tight end Darren Waller reached a one-year contract agreement on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Waller, a 33-year-old veteran, joins the roster after a nine-game stint with the Miami Dolphins where he recorded 24 receptions for 283 yards and six touchdowns. This move reunites the pass-catcher with Darrell Bevell, the Panthers' new associate head coach and offensive specialist who previously served as Miami's passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Waller enters his tenth NFL season having accumulated 374 career receptions, 4,407 receiving yards, and 26 touchdowns. Originally a 2015 sixth-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens, he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. His path to Carolina included a temporary retirement that caused him to skip the 2024 campaign before he returned to the league in 2025 via a trade between the New York Giants and the Dolphins.

Roster Impact and Tight End Depth

The addition of Waller expands a tight end room currently headlined by Tommy Tremble, who is entering his sixth year with the franchise. The unit also includes 2024 fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2025 fifth-round selection Mitchell Evans. While Tremble and Evans are classified as traditional tight ends, Waller and Sanders are designated primarily as pass-catchers. The roster is rounded out by veterans James Mitchell and Feleipe Franks, the latter of whom operates as a special teams ace after transitioning from the quarterback position.

League sources indicate that Waller’s signing was not prompted by an injury to any existing player on the depth chart. However, the arrival of the veteran playmaker may force Ja'Tavion Sanders to compete for his roster spot. Sanders, a former starter, has struggled with ankle injuries over the last two seasons and underwent surgery for a previous ailment. Despite suffering a minor ankle injury earlier in the week, Sanders participated in the Hall of Fame game, whereas Tremble and Evans did not.

Veteran Presence in Carolina

Upon officially signing his contract, Waller will become the oldest non-specialist on the Panthers' roster. He is set to turn 34 in September. Prior to this transaction, the team featured only three non-specialists over the age of 30. Last season, the Panthers carried four tight ends on their final 53-man roster, consisting of Sanders, Evans, Tremble, and Mitchell. James Mitchell, however, found it difficult to secure a consistent role during game days throughout the previous year.

Roster Adjustments and Logistics

Carolina must execute a corresponding roster move to accommodate Waller, as the team is currently at the 91-man limit. This total includes an international exemption. The agreement was first reported by Adam Schefter on Wednesday evening. Waller’s arrival adds a proven scoring threat to an offense looking to utilize his history of production, specifically his 2025 efficiency where he averaged a touchdown every four catches during his time in Miami.