NFL Trade Rumors: New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller to Retire

Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller's tenure with the New York Giants will be a short one. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Waller has informed the Giants that he intends to retire.

Sources: #Giants TE Darren Waller has informed the team he plans to retire, walking away at the age of 31 after just one season with NYG.

Waller hasn’t attended workouts, and the team had known for some time he may not play. Now, he’s officially let them know before minicamp. pic.twitter.com/1ZTmj1VX2m
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 9, 2024

Waller will turn 32 years old in September and has missed 19 games since 2020, his first and only Pro Bowl season. He signed a massive three-year, $51 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 before eventually being traded to the Giants last March for the 100th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately for the Giants, Waller is walking away from the game after a single season following that trade. He was set to earn significant (though non-guaranteed) salaries of $10.525, $11.525, and $13.525 million over the next three seasons, but he's wise to value his health and happiness over money. Waller famously overcame substance abuse issues in the early portion of his career to eventually achieve NFL greatness.

As for the Giants, they'll be left in the lurch. Waller finished second on the team last season in receptions and receiving yards, and his 46.0 receiving yards per game led the team. Unless they can swing a significant addition, the Giants offense will struggle to improve on a miserable 2023 season without him. Their 15.6 points per game were the third-fewest in the league last year, and another bad season could lead the organization to seriously consider parting ways with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.