What a summer it has been

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I am glad to see Darren Waller signed at TE, but I am kind of hard-pressed to get overly excited about any significant increase in production at the TE position in 2026. Let’s put the fact that Waller is on the wrong side of 30 aside and look at how Canales has used TEs since he became the offensive playcaller:

2023 at Tampa – Cade Otton was the guy at the position. He was used primarily underneath as a blocker and secondarily as a target (because of the blocking, from what I could tell). He finished with a respectable but not stunning 47 catches for 455 yards and four touchdowns.

2024 CAR – While the HC, Canales retained offensive playcalling. Ja’Tavion Sanders was the leading TE at 33 catches, 342 yards, and one TD.

2025 CAR – Tommy Tremble had 249 yds receiving to lead the team; JT had 29 receptions.

I am not including his SEA time because, other than some limited time calling plays in the preseason, he had no playcalling duties (Those were Jeremy Bates (2010), Darrell Bevell (2011–2017), Brian Schottenheimer (2018–2020), and Shane Waldron (2021–2022).

So, here are my questions):

1. Are fans putting too much hope on our TEs to become the next Greg Olsen based on the offensive philosophy of Canales (TE as a blocker and underneath target, mainly the first in most instances) – assuming Brad Idzik remains in that philosophy, of course?

2. Or, does Waller’s signing suggest he is giving Brad Idzik more control over the philosophy of the offense, and this is a teaser for more TE usage (or, question 2.5 – as he was with Canales at all his prior stops and was a WR in college, perhaps there won’t be a deviation from the Canales TE plans)?

3. Bonus question – Will a (theoretically) improved O-line mean less blocking for the TE spot and more opportunities to participate as a target in the offense, and this move is a reflection of the same?

I know this is a lot to unpack, and thank you, oh wise one, for your insights from the other side of the curtain in the QC — Benjamin, Milton, GA

We didn’t need any more Darren Waller questions this week, gang — Ben asked them all.

First off, let the man get here and practice once before we attach any expectations. Second off, putting Greg Olsen (or Wesley Walls) next to his name is undue pressure. And third off, I think the offense is the offense, whether being called by Canales or Idzik. Maybe some “tweaks” (Dave’s word), but no wholesale changes.

As noted in great detail above, the tight end position hasn’t been a gold mine in Canales’ offense, whether in Tampa or here. (And in 2023, once you got past Otton’s 47 catches, no other tight end on the roster had more than five.) But when Canales was in Seattle, and they had a Jimmy Graham, it sure seemed like part of the plan.

The question with Waller will remain: can he stay on the field? When he’s well, he’s always produced, but he is turning 34 the day of the regular season opener, and only played nine games last year. Then again, in those nine games, he caught six touchdowns. And if you can get two-thirds of a touchdown per game, that’s pretty cool, even if they’re only worth 4.62 points each.

Because of all those factors Ben listed, it’s reasonable to expect something, if not everything, from Waller. But with his skill set, and the fact he could potentially be running with Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, and Brooks in the red zone, creates a world of possibilities. He’s not here to block; they have other people to do that, but he’s a legitimate target in the passing game.

But again, let’s let him get here and practice first.