Darren Waller might be at the end of his journey in the NFL. The seasoned end has been contemplating retirement during the offseason, with a decision expected next week as the New York Giants prepare for mandatory minicamp, according to a report. The team anticipates that Waller will decide to retire.
Waller hinted at the decision in an Instagram Live session on Friday. The 31-year-old has not attended any of New York’s voluntary workouts, and head coach Brian Daboll previously mentioned that the team is giving Waller the space to make his choice, noting, “Take what he needs to take and once the decision is made, we’ll go from there.”
According to the most recent report, the Giants have assumed throughout the offseason that Waller will retire. In response, they selected Theo Johnson in the fourth round of the NFL Draft from Penn State and signed veteran players Jack Stoll and Chris Martinez. Additionally, the roster includes Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager, and Tyree Jackson at the tight end position.
Waller started his NFL career in 2015 as a sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens from Georgia Tech, initially playing as a wide receiver before switching to tight end after his rookie year. Despite his abilities, Waller struggled with substance abuse in his early career. He faced a four-game suspension in 2016 and a full-season suspension in 2017.
Waller eventually moved to the then-Oakland Raiders, where he thrived and became a Pro Bowl tight end. His breakout year came in 2019, with 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns, followed by an impressive 107-catch, 1,196-yard, and nine-touchdown season in 2020. Last offseason, he was traded to the Giants but was limited to just 12 games due to a hamstring injury.
Waller will receive $10.525 million for the season, with an additional $1.275 million attainable in per-game roster incentives. None of this is guaranteed. He has previously waived a $200,000 fitness bonus by missing the spring exercises and is presently contracted until the 2025 season.
If he were released after June 1, the Giants could save $11.9 million on the cap this year.
According to NFL Players Association information, New York presently has just $1.6 million in available cap space. This is the lowest of any team. They will most certainly need more to get through the 2024 season, although they have considered Waller’s retirement as a possible option.
While the Giants’ moves this summer seem to indicate that they are prepared to move ahead without the hazardous pass-catcher, coach Brian Daboll said last week during organized team activities that there was no change on the subject. Over the weekend, a source said that nothing had changed since. The Giants continue to await a final decision.
Waller has shown throughout the years that he can be a dynamic receiver. However, there have been ups and downs throughout his career; he has played in 12 or fewer games in seven of nine seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, and Giants.
Waller surpassed 1,000 yards in each of the two seasons in which he competed in more than 12 games, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020. He was the Giants’ top receiver until being hurt last season.
In 83 career games, Waller has had 350 receptions for 4,124 yards and 20 touchdowns.
