Carolina Panthers fans haven't seen much production out of their tight end room in quite some time. In fact, the last Panthers tight end to amass at least 400 yards in a season is now three Emmy Awards deep into his career as a broadcaster.
That broadcaster, of course, is franchise legend Greg Olsen, who tallied 597 receiving yards in 2019—his ninth and final campaign in Carolina. Since then, no tight end in the organization has come close—with the nearest mark, which belongs to Ja'Tavion Sanders from 2024, at 342.
Unfortunately, the outlook for 2026 appeared to be more of the same . . . perhaps until Wednesday night.
According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers have reached an agreement on a one-year deal with Darren Waller. The 33-year-old Waller may no longer be the productive Pro Bowl version of himself we saw back in 2020, but he might be the most capable pass-catching tight end the team has had in years—so you can't blame the Carolina faithful for getting a bit excited.
Here are some of their best reactions to the reported addition . . .
Welcome to Carolina, Darren Waller! 🔥 #KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/Snm1EvQ5b0
— 🎸 (@Ceegocrxzy) August 13, 2026
Darren Waller was torching the #Panthers for a chunk of that game last year. He looked good coming out of retirement. This is a significant addition!
— Ben (@KPP_Panthers) August 13, 2026
Says a lot about how they were feeling heading into the season with the current group.#KeepPounding baby! pic.twitter.com/zSq4yvlIJ0
The Panthers don’t come close to make this type of move 2 years ago. A lot can change when you start to have expectations to win
— Carolina Dad (@carolinadadshow) August 13, 2026
Darren Waller the rapper?? pic.twitter.com/ompT9rXOek
— Primetime Carolina (@primetimecar) August 13, 2026
Dan Morgan when Darren Waller walked into his office https://t.co/szwTuhEcgQpic.twitter.com/3ZUDmmCuWr
— 🎸 (@Ceegocrxzy) August 13, 2026
Waller ring chasing😭😭😭 gotta respect it at this stage in his career https://t.co/ppvgxtNLrg
— The Cat Shack (@NCCatShack) August 13, 2026
They let us get this demon! #KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/QgqXCzwr6s
— Panthers Pulse (@PanthersPulze) August 13, 2026
Darren Waller torched us in the first half last season and Dan Morgan didn’t forget.
— Michael Bell (@avl_mike) August 13, 2026
What a signing. pic.twitter.com/vILupsUAhA
glad we signed him bc this celebration been living with me rent free pic.twitter.com/gGfsWkTQ5h
— ʙʟᴀɴᴅᴇ (@JustBlande) August 13, 2026
Darren Waller 👀😮💨
— Jonathan Stewart (@Jonathanstewar1) August 13, 2026
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) August 13, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers fans react to the addition of TE Darren Waller