Final season, the Giants despatched a third-round choose to the Las Vegas Raiders in alternate for Darren Waller. New York needed to improve their offensive expertise. Common supervisor Joe Schoen thought Waller did that at TE for the Giants. Throughout coaching camp and the preseason, Waller gave the impression to be a key determine in New York’s offensive technique.
Nevertheless, the veteran TE has struggled with nagging accidents all season. He performed 12 video games for the Giants, nevertheless it was clear Waller wasn’t one hundred pc. Dan Duggan from The Athletics had Waller inform him the Professional Bowl TE is contemplating retirement this season. The 31-year-old is not certain if he is prepared for an additional season of grinding and placing his physique by all of the blows. There’s a actual likelihood that Waller will retire and go away the sport this season.
Has Darren Waller hinted at retiring this season?
#Giants TE Darren Waller narrates @DDuggan21 he’ll decide on his future quickly, however not earlier than free company subsequent week. https://t.co/OaPnwn3IxU
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2024
In 12 video games for the Giants in 2023, Darren Waller had 52 catches for 552 yards and one landing. Earlier than the season began, many NFL media members speculated that Waller was Daniel Jones’ favourite goal. Not solely did Waller miss time as a result of harm, however so did Jones. The QB-TE duo has by no means actually related on the sphere. New York had to make use of three totally different beginning QBs in 2023 and Waller might by no means discover consistency on offense.
Waller’s finest recreation with the Giants was seven catches for 98 yards and a landing towards the Commanders. Accidents have been a serious drawback for the veteran TE over the previous three seasons. He hasn’t performed a full season with the Raiders since 2020. In 2021, Waller performed in 11 video games, in 2022 he performed 9 and in 2023 he performed 12 for New York. Right now. Waller stated he would not know what choice he’ll make. Mike Garafolo of the NFL Community famous that Waller will make his choice after free company begins subsequent week.
At 31 years outdated, Giants TE Darren Waller is uncertain if he’ll return to New Jersey to proceed his soccer profession as he considers retirement.
“For those who’re not totally concerned in each a part of the method, it is going to be troublesome.”
✍️ @DDuggan21 ⤵️https://t.co/R4s7Q28B65 pic.twitter.com/pfuwZZEnYL
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) March 7, 2024
If the 31-year-old TE will not be within the group subsequent season, Daniel Bellinger will develop into TE1 once more. Bellinger was a 2022 rookie for the Giants out of Cincinnati. New York used two TE units rather a lot in 2023 because of the lack of expertise that they had at WR. The 23-year-old performed in all 17 video games final season and made 13 begins. Count on New York to probably draft one other TE or discover somebody in free company if Waller retires this offseason. The Giants will eagerly await Waller’s reply.