Former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller retired from the NFL at age 31 after playing one season with the New York Giants.
Waller told the Giants He decided to retire before the start of minicamp, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and the Giants confirmed his decision in a statement Sunday afternoon.
“We have great respect for Darren as a person and as a player,” the statement read. “We wish him the very best.”
New York’s mandatory minicamp begins Tuesday. The Giants acquired Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders before last season in a trade for a third-round draft pick.
Waller is a veteran of eight NFL seasons but has reportedly been considering retirement. During the off-seasonHis decision wasn’t a surprise to the Giants, who selected Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round of the NFL Draft in April, and the Giants were undoubtedly expecting more than one season out of him when they acquired him in a trade for 2023.
Amid ongoing reports that he was considering retirement, Waller addressed his situation on social media on June 3, saying at the time that he had not yet made a decision.
Waller appeared in 12 games for the Giants in 2023, recording 52 catches for 522 yards and a touchdown. He previously played six seasons with the Raiders and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2020 season. He played his first two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens since 2015.
Waller, what’s next for the Giants?
It is unclear why Waller retired. He was a starter in the NFL and would have been at the top of the Giants’ depth chart had he stayed with the team. He released a music video in May about his relationship and divorce from WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum. The couple announced their separation in early May after a year of marriage. It is unclear if Waller plans to continue his music career.
With Waller gone, third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger is expected to be New York’s No. 1 tight end next season. Bellinger started 13 games last season and had 25 catches for 255 yards. Johnson and former Philadelphia Eagles starter Jack Stoll could also compete for starting roles.
Waller’s retirement will free up $11.6 million in salary-cap space next season, according to Spotrac. He will carry dead cap hits of $2.45 million in 2024 and $4.9 million in 2025.
