Overview
- Waller scored two touchdowns that helped the Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-3, including a seven-yard catch in the second quarter and a 12-yard reception in the third from quarterback Bryce Young.
- After his second score Waller celebrated by handing the game ball to a Panthers fan and later said the game felt like a homecoming with family and his high school coach in attendance near where he grew up.
- Waller joined the Panthers this offseason on a reported one-year contract after spending 2025 with the Miami Dolphins and briefly stepping away from football in 2024.
- Off the field Waller has released the reflective track 'Blindfolded' and has used music as part of his public narrative around mental health and recovery.
- Waller’s performance continued a career comeback that began after 2017 rehab and a revival with the Raiders that included two 1,000-yard seasons and a Pro Bowl nod, and it could strengthen the Panthers’ tight end role and passing attack moving forward.