The Carolina Panthers' tight end room has been a big topic of discussion this offseason.
The trio of Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Ja'Tavion Sanders disappointed in 2025, but the team decided to run it back anyway. Then, during OTAs and training camp, the trio continued to disappoint, especially Sanders.
As a result, it was revealed at the end of last week that the team intended to sign Darren Waller. Waller was one of the best remaining tight options, and it won't be surprising if he ends up starting.
Well, on Monday, the team made that signing official, and also parted ways with two others.
Panthers Sign Waller, Cut Nick Hampton and Joshua Gray
As mentioned above, Waller's addition could end up being huge. Waller spent the 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins and caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games.
The veteran was at one point among the best tight ends in the league. Waller had over 1,000 yards in both 2019 and 2020 as a member of the Raiders. The tight end made his first-and-only Pro Bowl during that 2020 season.
Waller retired after spending 2023 with the New York Giants. That retirement only lasted for one season, though, as Waller made his return with the Dolphins last year. The Panthers know Waller is past his prime, but he proved in 2025 that he can still be a reliable pass-catcher.
As for the other moves, the Panthers cut outside linebacker Nick Hampton and offensive lineman Joshua Gray. Hampton didn't make an impact against the Bills, but he did record a sack in the Hall of Fame Game.
Hampton's release thins the outside linebacker room out a little, and it now looks like former UFL star Cam Gill has a real shot to make the team.
As for Gray, he was always a longshot to make the team. Chandler Zavala, Ja'Tyre Carter, Brady Christensen, and Isaia Glass were all ahead of him on the interior, but Gray did have one of the best PFF grades of any Panther last weekend.
Neither cut is all that surprising, though, as both were longshots to make the team. It will be interesting to see if either player latches on elsewhere, and to see what the Panthers do with the tight end depth chart.
