The Carolina Panthers caused a stir with the signing of tight end Darren Waller, who will officially sign his contract on Saturday after going through the onboarding process this week. And his high-profile arrival hinted at Darrell Bevell's growing influence within the organization.
Bevell joined the Panthers earlier this offseason as associate head coach and offensive specialist. He mentored head coach Dave Canales during their time together on the Seattle Seahawks, and he was brought into the fold to support offensive coordinator Brad Idzik during his first season as an NFL play-caller.
Perhaps tellingly, he also worked with Waller last season.
Carolina Panthers signing Darren Waller speaks to Darrell Bevell's growing influence
Waller ended a one-year retirement by signing with the Miami Dolphins. As it happens, Bevell was also in Miami as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
They know each other well, and when general manager Dan Morgan decided that more was needed in the tight end room after a good period of assessment throughout Carolina's preparations for the new campaign, Bevell's opinion was no doubt requested.
And it might have even tipped the scales in Waller's favor.
Just how much Waller will be able to help is anyone's guess.
He's had trouble staying healthy, and he is not the Pro Bowl force of old. However, if he can become a red-zone threat while also providing quarterback Bryce Young with a bigger security blanket in key moments, that's all the Panthers need.
Darrell Bevell can help smooth Darren Waller's transition before Week 1
Bevell will have a head start on what Waller can and cannot do at this late stage of his eventful career. That will be invaluable information for Idzik to use in his game planning, and the Georgia Tech product still has the physical tools to become a decent option if he picks things up quickly.
Having Bevell around to ease his transition will only help Waller. There is a familiarity there, and even though this signing runs counter to what the Panthers have typically looked for throughout Morgan's tenure, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Those in power trust Bevell. Canales credits him heavily for his own development through the coaching ranks, so getting the chance to bring him into the setup was a no-brainer. And if he gave Waller his seal of approval, which seems likely, that was all Morgan needed to hear.
Everyone knows Waller has on-field talent, despite his health problems. What Bevell may have provided was an insight into his work ethic, mindset, and overall personality in the locker room. As all fans know, that is equally important for Canales and Morgan, who've revolutionized the culture in Carolina.
It might not amount to all that much. But if Waller makes the most of this opportunity, Bevell will be a big reason why.
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