Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller has made himself, or at least his role, indispensable in Brad Idzik's offense.
Production at tight end has been a barren wasteland in Carolina for the last seven seasons. Expecting any player not named Greg Olsen to notch a respectable season-long stat line was like waiting for Marvel Studios to begin filming a Blade movie starring Mahershala Ali.
No player at the position has tallied over 400 receiving yards or four touchdowns since Olsen wore No. 88 for Carolina in 2019.
Then, in a sort of poetic justice, Carolina signs 34-year-old Waller, who decides to don Olsen's sacred 88.
As the doyen of the room, Waller has done his best to fill what’s been missing since 2019. Bryce Young targeted him 10 times against the Denver Broncos, and he reeled in eight catches for 90 receiving yards.
The most impressive was a skinny post from the slot where he rose up over a defender to snag a great touchdown pass from Young.
Yes, I said the slot. That’s what's interesting about Waller and his role in this Carolina passing attack.
Idzik uses him as a chess piece. Multiple times in Week 9, Waller was lined up in the slot or even at X while Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker got a breather on the sidelines. He still lines up as a traditional tight end and even as the running back in I-formation on the goal line, as we saw on Sunday.
Waller has made the most of every opportunity and position he’s been utilized in.
On pace for 632 receiving yards, the most by a Panthers tight end since Olsen in 2016, Waller has proved the lack of production was more of a talent issue than anything else.
Carolina can’t afford to lose the role in this offense next season.
Tommy Tremble has taken a step up, but he runs a more traditional route tree and focuses on yards after catch on underneath passes.
Waller only signed a one-year deal with Carolina, once again making him a free agent in the 2027 offseason. The Panthers will be forced to make a tough choice, as he will be entering his age-35 season if they choose to bring him back.
There are some options who could provide similar versatility in this year's draft, such as LSU’s Trey’dez Green and Virginia Tech’s Luke Reynolds. Yet, it raises the question: If Waller finishes this season just as productive and healthy, why go away from a proven commodity?
Rookies at the position take a while to really hit their stride if you aren't drafting a superstar. Carolina knows this firsthand, as it has taken Tremble until Year 6 to produce at the clip he is currently at.
The issue is Carolina doesn’t have six years to waste trying to replace Waller. They really don’t even have two.
Waller’s play has proven this role is a mainstay. The question is, will he fill it, or will it be a new face?
Honestly, this could be a classic case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
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