A week after signing Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract, the Giants gave Jones another gift in mid-March, acquiring tight end Darren Waller in a trade with the Raiders.
The Giants sent a 2023 third-round draft pick to the Raiders in exchange for Waller, a prominent pass catcher who couldn't stay on the field in 2021 and 2022 due to hamstring issues.
Waller's first season with the Giants did not go as expected, as the excitement he generated in training camp did not translate into success in his injury-plagued debut with his new team.
Still, Giants general manager Joe Schon said he has no regrets about the trade.
“Yeah, I'd love to do it again,” Shane said Monday. “I'd like to do it again with Waller. I mean, you guys saw him this spring, you saw him in the summer. Unfortunately, he got injured before the Dallas game. Again,… He was still a productive part of our offensive line when he was available, and I repeat that every day of the week.”
Waller played in 12 games and was second on the team with 52 receptions for 552 yards and just one touchdown.
He suffered a severe hamstring injury in Week 8 against the Jets and missed five consecutive games.
It was a far cry from Waller's best seasons with the Raiders in 2019 and 2020, when he caught 197 passes and caught 12 touchdowns.
After the contract restructuring, Waller will count $14.4 million against the salary cap in 2024.
If the Giants want to part ways with him, it would cost them $7.8 million in dead money to save $6.9 million on the cap.
“We're going to have discussions with the staff, but he's expected to come back,” Schoen said.
All players did not participate in the post-season farewell press conference given by Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
These meetings were held with rookies, second-year players and players approaching free agency.
All players met with their position coaches before leaving the building.
Many players signed jerseys to exchange with teammates.
Schoen, front office staff and scouts did not attend Monday night's national championship game in Houston, explaining that NFL officials do not have much access to bowl games or playoff games. Schoen had already scouted both teams during the season.
Guard Ben Bredeson was scheduled to participate in the game. Not only did he play at Michigan, but his younger brother Max is also the Wolverines' starting fullback. “I'm excited for him. He's put a lot of effort into it,” Bredeson said.
Saquon Barkley played in the final 12 games of the season after missing three games with an ankle sprain.
Barkley said he ended the season on a good note, recording 247 rushing attempts, the third-highest total of his six-year career.
“I feel good physically,” he said. “I'm coming out feeling better. Obviously, I had an ankle injury earlier this year, but it's held up pretty well for me. In fact, it's held up much better than any ankle injury I've had in the past. He gave it to me.”
According to NFL Network, the Panthers have requested permission to speak with Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown about the vacant GM position.
The following players signed reserve/futures contracts: DL Ryder Anderson, OT Yodny Cajuste, DB Caleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, RB Deon Jackson, LB Deyontae Johnson, OLB Jeremiah Martin, G Jaylen. Mayfield, OT Joshua Miles, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver.
