Darren Waller apparently will be one-and-done in New York.
The New York Giants expect the star tight end to announce his retirement before next week, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and Adam Schefter. Waller’s NFL future has been a subject of immense speculation throughout the offseason.
Darren Waller Reportedly Expected To Retire
While nothing is official, it would be a surprising reversal if the 31-year-old Waller decides to continue his NFL career.
“Darren Waller is expected to make a decision by next week’s minicamp on his playing future and people in and around the team expect he’s going to retire, multiple sources told Adam Schefter and me,” Raanan posted Monday on the X platform. “Would be a pleasant surprise if he decided otherwise.”
Darren Waller is expected to make a decision by next week’s minicamp on his playing future and people in and around the team expect he’s going to retire, multiple sources told @AdamSchefter and me. Would be a pleasant surprise if he decided otherwise. https://t.co/KiH645hDJe
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 3, 2024
The Giants acquired Waller last offseason via trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Once one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL, Waller battled injuries while appearing in just 12 games last season, finishing with 52 catches for 552 yards.
Waller spent the first two seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens before enjoying a five-year career renaissance with the Raiders. In 2019 and 2020, he combined for 197 catches, 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Why Would Waller Retire?
Waller’s potential reasons for retirement are unclear. However, in March, he cited injury concerns and declining passion for football during a conversation with Dan Duggan of The Athletic.
“I’m undecided at the moment,” Waller told Duggan. “It’s really the idea of signing up for another journey. It’s tough, it’s long, it requires a lot. And if you’re not fully bought into every single thing of the process, it’s going to be tough.
“I feel like at the end of the day, you’re doing guys a disservice if you’re not all the way in. So those are the kinds of things I’m taking into account.”
Waller added: “(The injury history) is part of the equation. But that’s not the driving force behind making the decision. It isn’t just frustration from a health standpoint. It’s a lot deeper than that.”
Waller is also going through a divorce with WNBA star Kelsey Plum, a situation he addressed in a recently released song and music video.
Giants Darren Waller just dropped a music video about his divorce with a Fake Kelsey Plum in the video.
It is um…. Interesting.
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/wvaYkeQlK2
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) May 30, 2024
Follow Pro Football Network for additional updates on Waller and the Giants as they become available.