Waller overhauls offseason training before Panthers opener

A practice route hit 20.8 mph on Monday

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 81 min read

Darren Waller changed his offseason approach. Now he's hoping it helps change the Panthers https://t.co/iqMfzkCXIm Via @Panthers on X

What happened: Waller said he began football-specific training in February after entering his 2025 comeback without a full foundation. He has spent extra time studying Carolina's terminology and writes out the playbook by hand.

Why it matters: Carolina's one-year agreement with Waller added a veteran receiving option only weeks before Week 1. His preparation carries added weight after an abbreviated 2025 season.

By the numbers: Waller caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns across nine games in 2025 while missing eight contests.

What to watch: The season opener will show how quickly his preparation translates into a defined role.

Sources

@Panthers 2026-09-08T13:57:48.064680+00:00

CONVERSATION

Loading comments…

NFLPreviewCarolina PanthersDarren Waller

Follow NFL Intelligence

Real-time signals and analysis

@WireReportNFL

WR Pro

The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.

$9/month Free weekly newsletter →