During an Instagram Live session on Friday, Darren Waller, tight end for the New York Giants, revealed that he was nearing a decision regarding his football future. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Waller is expected to make an announcement this week ahead of the team’s mandatory minicamp, and it is anticipated that he will retire from professional football.
Throughout the offseason, the 31-year-old Waller has been contemplating retirement, with previous reports in March prematurely suggesting that he was hanging up his cleats after eight seasons in the NFL. At the time, Waller clarified that he had not yet made a definitive decision.
Waller did not participate in any of the Giants’ voluntary offseason workouts this spring, further indicating his uncertain future. The team’s mandatory minicamp is scheduled to take place from June 11 to June 13.
The Giants have been operating under the assumption that Waller will not be part of their tight end group for the upcoming season. In addition to Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager, and Tyree Jackson, the team signed veterans Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz, and selected Theo Johnson from Penn State in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Waller has struggled with injuries and has been unable to consistently stay healthy since the 2020 season when he was with the Las Vegas Raiders. In the 2023 season, he missed four games due to injury. During his first year with the Giants, Waller played 12 games, recording 52 receptions for 552 yards and a touchdown.
The Giants acquired Waller in a trade in March 2023 in exchange for a draft pick. He is currently under contract through the 2026 season after signing a $51 million extension in 2022.
While Waller has recently made headlines for personal reasons, particularly his divorce from Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum after one year of marriage, his music video addressing the split has garnered attention. Titled “Who Knew (Her Perspective),” the video depicts scenes that seemingly re-create moments of conflict and separation, ending with a symbolic act of betrayal. Waller’s artistic pursuits may take center stage if retirement becomes his final decision, providing him ample time to work on future music projects that he hopes will gain recognition for different reasons.
