Darren Waller Returns to NFL After Brief Retirement
Darren Waller is back on the field. Yes, you read that right. Reports indicate that he has come out of retirement and has been traded from the New York Giants to the Miami Dolphins.
The Giants maintained Waller’s rights after he announced his retirement following the 2023 season. In the trade, they received a sixth-round pick in 2026 and a conditional seventh-round pick in 2027.
Interestingly, Waller’s unretirement comes just a day after the Dolphins made headlines by sending a Pro Bowl tight end to the Pittsburgh Steelers along with players Jalen Ramsey and Minkah Fitzpatrick. In Miami, Waller will have to compete for a starting spot with Julian Hill and Pharaoh Brown during training camp.
People close to Waller mentioned that he really missed playing football and would have returned earlier had the opportunity been right. At 32 years old, he’s considered one of the top tight ends in the league, having racked up 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns during his time with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 and 2020. Despite being awarded a three-year, $51 million extension, he found himself traded to the Giants after the 2022 season.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go well for him in New York. He ended up with just 52 receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown throughout what was a tough 2023 season for the Giants. His retirement announcement came in November 2023, largely influenced by health concerns. In a YouTube video, Waller shared his fear after experiencing breathing issues, which landed him in the hospital for a few days. Although he didn’t disclose his specific diagnosis, he described the situation as “very scary” and thus chose to step away from football to focus on his music career.
Waller has also been open about his past struggles with addiction, particularly a significant overdose in 2017 that became a turning point for him. He now actively uses his story to inspire others, which is admirable, to say the least.
With Waller in Miami, the Dolphins hope to strengthen their offense. He’ll be joining a team that features standout players like Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle. Interestingly, he will also reunite with Frank Miss, a former tight end coach from his days with the Raiders, which might just ease his transition back into the game.
