Giants sending Darren Waller to the Dolphins after he came out of retirement

Giants Make Trade with Darren Waller

From the Giants’ viewpoint, any minimal mention of their trade involving Darren Waller probably feels like a win. At one point, when it seemed like the talented but troubled tight end was set to retire, I honestly thought that was the end of his story with the team.

But here we are—on Tuesday, the Giants finalized the deal. They sent Waller to the Dolphins, receiving back a seventh-round draft pick in 2027, along with their sixth-round pick in 2026.

As per the NFL Network, Waller has signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with the Dolphins, which is refreshing considering his previous uncertainties. He’ll be turning 33 this coming September.

Waller had announced his departure from the NFL last June after eight seasons, mentioning that his “passion is slowly fading,” which surprised no one given his limited activity with the Giants. The Giants initially acquired him from the Raiders, hoping he’d bring some spark to their passing game.

They were well aware of his injury history, particularly with those chronic hamstring issues, and his past struggles with substance abuse. He started his career with the Ravens but faced drug-related suspensions, missing significant time when he violated the league’s policies.

In the 2023 season with the Giants, Waller appeared to be a shadow of his former self, catching 52 passes for 552 yards and just one touchdown, while also dealing with yet another hamstring injury. After that season, he opened up about having “very scary” health concerns that required him to be hospitalized for four days in November.

Interestingly, his retirement ended up saving the Giants $11.6 million in salary cap space. During his peak years, specifically in 2019 and 2020, Waller was a standout, recording 197 receptions, 2,311 yards, and 12 touchdowns while playing for the Raiders.