Waller’s career takes yet another fascinating turn
Former New York Giants tight end Darren Waller is un-retiring and being traded to the Miami Dolphins, according to a report from NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Waller played in 12 games for the Giants in 2023 after being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. He caught 52 passes for 556 yards (10.6 yards per catch) with one touchdown.
Waller admitted this offseason that he had decided in the middle of a Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills that he was going to retire at the end of the season.
“It was in the first quarter of the game,” Waller said on “The Side You Don’t See” podcast. “We were running like this counter-lead running play, and I’m kind of like leading through the hole like I’m a fullback. And the play is working, but I sit down on the sideline after a drive where we ran it like three times and I’m like, ‘What the f–k am I doing with my life? I’m out here playing fullback. I don’t even want to do this sh– anymore.’”
“I’m just like looking at the moon,” Waller said. “It’s like early first quarter, second quarter. Nobody else would even really know that I’m thinking this. But I’m on the sideline like, ‘Yup, I’m going to finish this year to the best of my ability, but I’m definitely done playing after this year.’”
Waller will turn 33 in September. He has been pursuing a rap career, but has decided to give football one more try.
Per Adam Schefter, the Giants will receive a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Waller and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Waller will sign a one-year deal with the Dolphins, who traded tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, worth up to $5 million.
