The Carolina Panthers kept Darren Waller, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Feleipe Franks, and Ja'Tavion Sanders on their 53-man roster. Though it was surprising to see five tight ends on the squad, it might just be general manager Dan Morgan's smartest move yet.
Waller is still working his way back to full football activity, but Carolina clearly believes his presence can add something the rest of the group cannot.
"I think keeping five tight ends, I think it really comes down to each of those guys having a specific skill set that we like," Morgan said. He specifically pointed to Waller's "unique skill set" and the different dimension he can bring to the offense.
Carolina Panthers can use five tight ends to their advantage
There is a reason Carolina was willing to devote an extra roster spot to the position. In 2025, the Panthers used three-tight-end personnel on 7.8 percent of their offensive plays, the sixth-highest rate in the NFL.
The important part of keeping five tight ends is that the Panthers do not have five versions of the same player.
Evans provides the size and blocking ability. Tremble brings versatility and physicality in the run game. Sanders can move around and play in the slot, though he is a potential trade candidate. Franks brings significant special teams value in addition to developing as a pass catcher.
He is the only tight end on the roster with a 1,000-yard receiving season on his resume, and Waller also caught six touchdowns in only nine games with the Miami Dolphins last season. Carolina has not seen him play in the preseason due to his ramp-up process, but Morgan made it clear that the Panthers believe there is still a role for the Pro Bowler.
Carolina Panthers now have more diversity to be creative on offense
That matters because Carolina's offense has needed more answers outside of stud wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
The Panthers' offensive line has already dealt with major uncertainty entering the season, with both Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton placed on injured reserve. That makes finding ways to gain an advantage even more important.
The five tight end approach could give Carolina another way to do that.
Of course, there is a fine line between versatility and simply carrying too many players at one position. That is why this decision could make or break a significant part of the Panthers' offense.
For quarterback Bryce Young, the payoff could be substantial. More reliable tight end production would give him additional answers in the middle of the field, strengthen the play-action game, and allow head coach Dave Canales to create more uncertainty for opposing defenses.
The Panthers do not need all five tight ends to become stars. They just need each one to give them something the others cannot.
If that happens, keeping five could look less like an unusual roster decision and more like one of the smartest moves Carolina made all offseason.
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