Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller adds wrinkle to Panthers' offense image
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Seven seasons into a run of Carolina Panthers tight ends failing to eclipse a mediocre receiving milestone, general manager Dan Morgan reached out and signed impatient veteran Darren Waller.
Can the former Pro Bowler add an extra offensive wrinkle for quarterback Bryce Young to exploit?
Greg Olsen, who compiled 597 receiving yards in 2019, remains the last organizational tight end to collect at least 500 yards during a season.
Morgan declared last spring during the offseason training activities (OTAs) that he remained confident in the top three returning tight ends after not adding to the room during the NFL Draft or via free agency. Three weeks into training camp, the Panthers' brass reversed course.
Long-rumored as a possible preseason signing, Waller, who returned from retirement last season, waited for his next opportunity as the summer months rolled on. On Aug. 12, the Panthers called. He committed before hanging up.
Waller shared the significance of the date while meeting with the local media for the first time after Monday's training camp practice.
"It was crazy because it's also nine years of sobriety for me," said Waller, who did not participate in the near-100-degree session. "So it's like the fact that those two coincided on that day was just something that you can't really wrap your mind around as human beings," smiled Waller, sitting in the Panthers signing room early Monday morning, still on the table.
"We call it God, you know, so I think it's just something greater at work, but definitely a lot of gratitude in that day. It was just like a double celebration."
Panthers' Darren Waller brings extra dimension to TE room
Once sober, Waller famously developed into one of the league's top tight ends, compiling 1,000-yard campaigns in 2019 and '20. The 2015 sixth-round draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens ended up sitting out 2017, before returning the next season for the Raiders' final two in Oakland, where he began to thrive.
Waller earned 2020 Pro Bowl recognition after compiling career bests in catches (107), receiving yards (1,196) and touchdowns (nine).
At 6-foot-6, 238 pounds, Waller, 33, could create mismatches that Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans mostly struggled to execute. The trio combined for 75 receptions for 610 yards and five touchdowns last season.
In his comeback bid with the Miami Dolphins, Waller amassed 24 catches for 283 yards and scored six touchdowns in nine outings. He waited most of the summer for a chance to continue his career.
"I hope that they can still see like, I mean, I feel as good as I've felt in years right now," said Waller, who did not participate in Monday's practice. "I feel like the training that I put in this offseason has allowed me to be, from an explosive speed (and) movement standpoint, where I was when people remember me at the peak of my career. And I think my scoring potential was unlocked last year in ways that hadn't been before.
"So, combine those two, you still get a pretty decent product out of me."
MORE: Panthers sign Darren Waller to boost passing game
After the Panthers' first-team offense struggled during their second preseason game last Saturday – a 29-14 loss to the host Buffalo Bills – coach Dave Canales envisions an expanding playbook.
“He’s huge ... he's lean ... he can run,” Canales said Monday. “He's a pass threat and he’s got versatility. He can play like a tight end. He can play like a receiver.
"All of those things. It's a unique element he brings to whatever offense he has been part of. The goal is to throw (him) into that room and challenge that tight end room and see which guys want to elevate."
Can he help elevate Young by adding a new offensive wrinkle?
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