New York Giants tight end Darren Waller was the No. His agents verified this momentous news to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Waller’s retirement reversal comes as a surprise considering he announced his retirement from the Senate in June 2023. His announcement came on the heels of a health scare in November 2023. It was a frustrating experience, but it brought him unexpected clarity both about life and his future in football.
Waller, a former star tight end who now plays for the Oakland Raiders, has been open about his past issues with addiction and his path to recovery. He’s candidly chronicled his rehab journey following a near-fatal 2017 overdose. He shines light on the issues he’s faced off the field. Since then he’s remained sober, making sobriety a central part of his life. Returning to football is just the next step in his recovery journey, but he knows it’s essential to move forward.
In his time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Waller carved out a reputation as one of the league’s top tight ends. From 2019 to 2020, he recorded 197 receptions for 2,341 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, earning recognition as a top performer in his position. The Raiders paid him back in 2022 by giving him a three-year, $51 million extension. Injuries would limit his contributions over the next two seasons. During the past three years, he’s missed 21 games and totaled just 940 receiving yards since signing the extension.
Waller’s career recently took a positive turn when he was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Giants in early 2023. He overcame enormous obstacles in doing so. It will be his previous relationship with Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith that will be most important in getting him up to speed. Smith served as the Raiders’ tight ends coach from 2018 to 2020, which coincided with Waller’s most productive years in the NFL.
As Waller prepares to don the Dolphins’ colors, he aims to recapture his previous form and contribute significantly to the team’s offense. The Dolphins are excited to add Waller’s unique skill set and experience to an already solidifying tight end room and help open up the offensive game plan.
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