Darren Waller’s brief and unproductive association with the Giants came to an abrupt and expected end as the former tight end informed the team of his expected retirement from the NFL, The Washington Post has confirmed.
Thus ended Waller’s one-season tenure with the Giants, a thoroughly forgettable one.
He was supposed to be a big-play weapon in the passing game, but the 2023 Giants are inept in that department, and Waller couldn’t help the team escape the dysfunction it caused on the field.
Waller, 31, told the Giants several months ago he was considering retirement. He did not participate in the team’s offseason training program this spring or appear in any of the team’s 10 active practices. Those practices were all voluntary, but the Giants’ attendance was high, with all players taking part in some or most of the activities.
With two days of mandatory minicamp beginning on Tuesday, Waller felt it was the right time to inform the Giants of his decision, which he expected would see the front office and coaching staff part ways.
Waller’s departure would be a significant financial loss, as he would forfeit his $10.5 million salary for the 2024 season. Waller was under contract through the 2026 season. His departure would give the Giants an $11.6 million salary-cap benefit and absorb a $2.5 million dead-money hit.
It was a big move, but ultimately a mistake for general manager Joe Sean, who sent a third-round draft pick to the Raiders in March 2023 to acquire Waller. That was the draft pick Sean acquired from the Chiefs to acquire wide receiver Kadarius Toney (a former 2021 first-round pick in the Giants system).
The hope was that Waller could get closer to the form he showed in 2019 and 2020 with the Raiders (197 receptions, 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns) and come out of a chronic hamstring issue that has plagued him in 2021 and 2022.
That didn’t happen.
Waller had 52 catches for 552 yards and just one touchdown in 12 games. He missed five games with another hamstring injury.
Sean acknowledged that Waller’s potential retirement was one of the factors that led the Giants to select Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Two veteran tight ends, Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz, signed in free agency. Daniel Bellinger returns after 23 starts the past two seasons, along with Lawrence Cager and Tyree Jackson. Johnson, at 6-foot-6 and 257 pounds, is an intriguing target and is expected to get ample playing time early in his rookie season.
It’s a tumultuous time for Waller, who recently finalized his divorce from WNBA star Kelsey Plum after just one year of marriage. The aspiring musician and rapper recently addressed the breakup in his new song, “Who Knew (Her Perspective).” Last year, Waller released his second rap album, “Walking Miracle.”
Waller has been open about his past struggles with drugs, alcohol and mental illness.
Waller has indicated to sources within the Giants organization that he is considering retirement after the 2023 season, a source told The Post, though this was not initially known to the Giants front office.
The team will move forward without a player who left in an instant without making any impact on the franchise.
