Ex-Giants, Raiders TE Darren Waller announces retirement after eight NFL seasons

Darren Waller‘s made his long-anticipated decision, and he’s played his last down.

Following months of deliberation, Waller has officially announced his retirement to the Giants after playing eight seasons, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport who reported this on Sunday based on sources privy to the situation.

“I’ve decided to retire from the game of football,” Waller later wrote on Instagram. “To God: what a journey, and thank you. We took it way farther than I ever could have imagined! So grateful for all the ppl I’ve been able to connect and create memories with along the way. We still got plenty more life left to live. Love you all. Peace.”

It was a decision that’s hung over the New York Giants tight end — and the franchise — since March, when Waller told Dan Duggan of The Athletic that he was planning on making a decision “pretty soon.” Among the reasons Waller mentioned as to weighing his future were being fully invested in continuing to play and also lingering health issues.

“In a statement on Waller’s retirement, the Giants expressed tremendous admiration for Darren, both as an individual and as a player. They extended their sincere best wishes to him,”

As the resolution continued to drag on, it increasingly appeared that Waller, known for his publicized divorce with WNBA player Kelsey Plum and for releasing a baffling music video this year, would not be returning.

Waller, who once played in the Pro Bowl, had stints with the Ravens, Raiders, and Giants. He completed his career with 350 catches, 4,124 yards received, and 20 touchdowns in a total of 86 games.

Acquired by Big Blue ahead of the 2023 campaign, Waller’s early returns were good, with reports that he and Daniel Jones had a quick chemistry, and it showed in their preseason debut together. However, the season didn’t play out that way, with Waller missing five games and hauling in just one touchdown on 52 catches for 552 yards.

This is a rather abrupt close to a beautiful story written by the 31-year-old.

Waller, who triumphed over a battle with drug addiction, started his NFL journey as a sixth-round pick with the Ravens in 2015. His career was hindered by multiple suspensions due to violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. Despite these setbacks, Waller made a victorious comeback, becoming one of the premier tight ends in the game while playing for the Raiders. His exceptional performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2020.

Waller first came to national attention in 2019, after only 18 receptions and two touchdowns in his first three seasons from 2015-2018 (he was suspended for the entire 2017 season). He was released by the Ravens during the 2018 season and was promptly signed by the Raiders, although he only played in four games.

In his second season in Silver and Black, Waller caught 90 balls for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns, which led to a four-year, $30 million deal. A favorite of then-quarterback Derek Carr, Waller shined in 2020 — the Raiders’ first season in Las Vegas. He hauled in 107 catches for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns.

In 2021, Waller was limited to 11 games because of an ankle injury. However, he managed to sign a three-year extension worth $51 million in 2022. Despite his retirement, his annual worth of $17 million remains the highest among TEs.

However, he only participated in eight games for the Raiders in 2022 due to a hamstring injury. He was then traded to the Giants in the subsequent offseason, where his hamstring problems continued to trouble him.

Waller was due to count for $14.08 million against the Giants’ cap this year. In his place, Daniel Bellinger will likely step in to the starting TE role with New York having also added Jack Stoll and drafted Theo Johnson out of Penn State.