Darren Waller appears to have decided on his playing future.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the tight end informed the New York Giants that he plans to retire. ESPN’s Adam Schefter disputed that claim, reporting that Waller has yet to tell the team.
However, the Giants released a brief statement that seemed to signal his choice.
“We have great respect for Darren as a person and player,” the team said. “We wish him nothing but the best.”
Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 204 pick in 2015, Waller registered 178 yards in 22 games over his first four years. He broke out for the Oakland Raiders in 2018, securing 90 catches for 1,145 yards.
Waller made his lone Pro Bowl the following year with career highs in catches (107), receiving yards (1,196), and touchdowns (nine). However, injuries shortened his stay among the NFL’s elite tight ends.
The Raiders sent Waller to the Giants last offseason after he played 20 games in the previous two seasons. He missed five games with another hamstring injury and made a mitigated impact when healthy.
Waller caught 52 of 74 targets for 552 yards (averaging his fewest yards per reception since 2016) and just one touchdown. He now appears on the cusp of retirement at age 31.
The Giants prepared for the possibility by drafting Penn State tight end Theo Johnson with the No. 107 pick. Yet Waller is another significant loss for an offense that lost star running back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
New York will save approximately $11.6 million against its salary cap if Waller officially retires.