Darren Waller, the New York Giants tight end, is still undecided about his future in the NFL. After trading from the Las Vegas Raiders, Waller has been plagued by injuries and a decline in performance over the past few seasons. Despite this, the 31-year-old remains uncertain about his retirement plans.
In a recent interview with Forbes, Waller expressed his contemplation, stating, “I haven’t made a decision yet. It’s just a matter of respecting the process. There’s so much that goes into the process of going from April through February of an NFL season.”
Waller’s on-the-fence status has left the Giants in a precarious position. With a new regime under Josh McDaniels, the team is preparing for the upcoming season with uncertainties surrounding their tight end position. The Giants have made some signings during free agency to bolster their roster, adding Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz to the tight end room.
If Waller decides to retire, the Giants could potentially save $6.7 million against the cap but would carry $7.4 million in dead money. However, if he chooses to continue playing, he acknowledges the need for the team to establish a strong offensive identity. With Daniel Jones returning from injury and the absence of Saquon Barkley, Waller believes that the offense must find consistency and create opportunities to win games.
The Giants are currently three weeks away from the NFL draft, where they may look to add depth at the tight end position regardless of Waller’s decision. The team understands the significance of Waller’s potential impact on the field and anxiously awaits his final decision on whether he will continue to be a part of shaping the team’s offensive identity for the upcoming season.
