PHOTO CREDIT: ANGELA WEISS/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller is expected to decide about his playing future by next week’s mandatory minicamp, and many within the team believe he will retire.
Waller’s Upcoming Decision
Waller, 31, mentioned on an Instagram Live on Friday that a decision was coming very soon. He has been considering retirement since the end of last season and has not attended any of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts this spring.
The Giants’ mandatory minicamp will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
Giants’ Offseason Preparations
Throughout the offseason, the Giants have prepared for the possibility of Waller retiring. They added depth at tight end through free agency and the draft, including selecting Penn State’s Theo Johnson in the fourth round. Johnson, known for his pass-catching skills, has even taken first-team snaps this spring with Waller absent.
The Giants also signed veteran tight ends Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz to bolster their tight end group, which also includes Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager, and Tyree Jackson.
Waller’s Personal and Professional Shifts
It would be a surprise for the Giants if Waller decides to return for a 10th season. He has been focusing on his music career—releasing a new song last week—and expressed doubts about his “commitment level” to football in an interview with The Athletic.
Waller has also spoken about the importance of mental health. He has been a mental health advocate after dealing with substance abuse early in his career. Waller and Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum filed for divorce last month after their one-year marriage.
Waller has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, particularly hamstring issues. He played in 12 games after the Giants traded him for a third-round pick, recording 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown in 2023.
Financial and Cap Considerations
Waller is due $10.525 million this season, with an additional $1.275 million available in per-game roster bonuses (Not guaranteed). By skipping spring workouts, he already missed a $200,000 workout bonus. His contract runs through the 2025 season.
If Waller were a post-June 1 cut, the Giants would save $11.9 million on the cap this year. New York currently has just $1.6 million in available cap space, the lowest of any team. They will likely need more to get through the 2024 season and are considering Waller’s retirement as a potential solution.
While the Giants have been preparing to move forward without Waller, coach Brian Daboll said last week at organized team activities that there was no update on the situation. A source said over the weekend that nothing has changed, and the Giants are still waiting for a final decision.
Waller has shown he can be a dynamic receiver over the years. However, his career has experienced ups and downs, playing in 12 games or fewer in seven of his nine seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, and Giants.
Waller topped 1,000 yards in each of the two seasons he played more than 12 games and made the Pro Bowl in 2020. He was as the Giants’ leading receiver before getting injured last season.
In 83 career games, Waller has amassed 350 catches for 4,124 yards and 20 touchdowns.
This report used information from ESPN.
