The Carolina Panthers caused a stir by signing veteran tight end Darren Waller relatively late in the summer. But after only two regular-season games, his impact is already being felt.
And Waller's contribution goes well beyond the stat sheet.
Waller made a considerable difference during Carolina's rout of the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. The Pro Bowler caught all three of his targets for 33 receiving yards. Two of those were touchdowns, including one expertly caught after a laser from resurgent quarterback Bryce Young.
Darren Waller is making a considerable impact on the Carolina Panthers' offense
This is exactly what the Panthers expected from Waller. And even though it's still early days, it already looks like he is adding a completely different dynamic to the offense.
The Panthers haven't had the fear factor at tight end since Greg Olsen left for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020. That's a long time, but Waller is bringing it back in more ways than one.
Take running back Chuba Hubbard's touchdown on a fourth-down call early in the game as a prime example.
Going for it so early was the right decision from head coach Dave Canales. Young got the ball out quickly, and a busted coverage gave Hubbard the freedom to walk in for the score.
But this doesn't happen without Waller.
Darren Waller is giving the Carolina Panthers something they've lacked since Greg Olsen
The Falcons were so concerned about containing him, they completely disengaged from their responsibilities with Hubbard. Waller's size, length, and physicality in the red zone are deeply respected around the league, and even though he wasn't targeted this time, his presence alone was enough to free up space for the back to get Carolina ahead.
This sort of thing doesn't show up on the stat sheet. But make no mistake; it will be an integral part of any more success that comes the Panthers' way this season.
Waller won't clear 1,000 receiving yards as he did earlier in his career, but the Panthers don't need that.
They have two prolific young wide receivers in Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Hubbard is doing a nice job on the ground, and Xavier Legette also came up big in Atlanta after a rough start to the campaign.
If Waller can be a useful decoy while also making a few plays, that's a massive upgrade over anything Carolina has in the tight end room. It's the element that's been lacking since Olsen departed, and it's been a painstaking search to find the correct solution ever since.
It's so far, so good on that front.
Waller looks focused. He looks healthy, and the Georgia Tech product is enjoying his football. One could have forgiven him for thinking the NFL had looked away before the Panthers came calling, but being in this sort of environment is giving the veteran a new lease of life.
The Panthers are thriving. And though Waller's contribution is being overlooked compared to Young, Coker, and McMillan, it is extremely important to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik's game plan.
The more comfortable Waller becomes, the better he'll be.
That's a scary thought for everyone else.
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