Panthers Thankfully Predicted to Repeat Darren Waller Signing at Key Position

A year ago, the Carolina Panthers made significant strides on defense. The worst unit in the league in 2024 finished 16th in the NFL in fewest total yards allowed this past season. After allowing 59 offensive TDs in 17 regular-season games the previous year, that number was cut to 44 offensive touchdowns in 18 total contests.

Panthers added two big-name defensive players in March

Devin Lloyd — USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

This offseason, general manager Dan Morgan added a pair of quality defenders in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (Eagles) and 2025 Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd (Jaguars). Both players should be difference makers for Dave Canales’s team and coordinator Ejiro Evero’s unit.

Off Carolina’s 34-17 preseason victory at Jacksonville last Friday night, Panthers’ writer Mike Kaye of ESPN posed a question regarding just who will be in the starting lineup alongside one of the team’s key offseason additions this offseason?

“Carolina didn't play Devin Lloyd,” stated Kaye, “so Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus both started Friday. Neither defender has gained an advantage in their position battle this summer, and the depth behind Lloyd could be upgraded before Week 1.”

There appears to be a stalemate for a job opposite LB Devin Lloyd

Talk about equal time? Cherelus has started all three preseason contests, while Wallace played but did not start against the Bills. Both totaled 19 defensive snaps vs. the Cardinals, and each player saw 24 defensive snaps vs. Buffalo. The latter had two dozen defensive snaps vs. the Jaguars, and Wallace a total of 23 on defense. In three games, Cherelus has totaled nine tackles, with Wallace recording seven stops.

Advantage? Push.

“Similar to tight end, added Kaye, “it wouldn't be surprising to see the Panthers search for a veteran free agent linebacker before or after the cut-down deadline next week.”

Of course, that tight end is nine-year veteran Darren Waller. He inked a one-year, $1.3 million deal last week with Canales’s club. He did not play against the Jaguars, but he does bolster a tight end room that has been somewhat underutilized in recent seasons. He played in nine games with the Dolphins this past season and caught six TD passes. Panthers’ tight ends have combined for eight TD receptions since 2024.

Could Panthers’ GM Dan Morgan add a veteran linebacker sooner than later?

Back to inside linebacker. The roster cutdown to 53 players for each of the 32 clubs is Sunday, August 30, by 6:00 pm ET. Obviously, Morgan could act before then by adding a proven veteran not currently with a team.

Of course, the list is headed by ageless Bobby Wagner, who spent the past two seasons with the Washington Commanders. The 36-year-old pro has totaled 100-plus tackles in each of his 14 NFL campaigns—11 of those with the Seattle Seahawks.

Other available candidates include Kenneth Murray, who led the Dallas Cowboys with 81 tackles this past season, and Bobby Okereke—who racked up a club-high 143 tackles in 2025 with the New York Giants.

Will Morgan take the free-agent plunge one more time? It could be an interesting few days in Charlotte, starting with Friday night’s preseason finale vs. the visiting Houston Texans.

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