Darren Waller, a Pro Bowl tight end, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, his agency, Rosenhaus Sports, announced Wednesday night. The terms of the contract have not yet been disclosed.
Waller, 33, initially retired from the NFL after the 2023 season with the New York Giants. He later returned to play for the Miami Dolphins in 2025 following a trade.
During his nine games with the Dolphins, Waller recorded 24 receptions for 283 yards and six touchdowns. This touchdown total was the second-highest of his nine-year career. However, his season was hampered by injuries, including a hip issue that sidelined him for the first four weeks, a strained pectoral muscle that led to injured reserve for four more games, and a groin injury that placed him on IR again before the team's season finale.
When healthy, Waller showed flashes of the talent that earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 with the Raiders, where he achieved career highs in receptions (107) and receiving yards (1,196). He was expected to bring a similar level of play to the Giants in 2023, but recorded only 552 receiving yards and one touchdown in 12 games.
Waller previously discussed his decision to retire, stating in an interview that he did not feel he was being utilized in a way that maximized his unique abilities. He described situations where he was asked to perform roles, such as blocking in the "B gap" or running "stick routes," which he felt did not showcase his full potential.
In Carolina, Waller will join a tight end room that includes Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble, who had 29 and 27 receptions, respectively, in the previous season. His addition aims to bolster the Panthers' receiving options at the tight end position.