NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced on Tuesday that tight end Darren Waller has ended his retirement and been traded to the Miami Dolphins. Waller, who last played for the New York Giants in 2023, is moving to Miami in a deal where the Giants send him and their conditional 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for Miami’s 2026 sixth-round pick.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Waller has signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins, potentially worth up to $5 million. Approaching 33 years old in September, Waller retired last June after eight NFL seasons but is now making a comeback after taking a year off.
The Dolphins acquired Waller a day after trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers—a trade involving seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey moving to Pittsburgh while Miami received five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who originally started his career with Miami. Smith, who had a strong season with Miami and earned his first Pro Bowl selection, previously played for the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Falcons. He finished last season with 88 receptions totaling 884 yards.
Only Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders), Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals), and George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) outperformed Smith among tight ends in receiving yards last season. Smith also missed Miami’s offseason practices as he sought a new contract.
Waller will be a key addition to Miami’s tight end group, which also includes seasoned players like Pharaoh Brown, Julian Hill, and rookie or free-agent hopefuls Tanner Conner, Hayden Lucci, and Jalin Connierz.
Waller initially retired in June last year ahead of the Giants’ mandatory mini-camp. He discussed his decision in a YouTube video, mentioning his divorce from WNBA player Kelsey Plum and revealing he faced serious medical issues during the 2023 season that led him to reconsider his career. Although he didn’t disclose the exact diagnosis, Waller spent over three days in the hospital due to health complications he experienced mid-season while sidelined with a hamstring injury.
He described struggling to breathe one morning, which led to a 911 call and hospitalization. Waller reflected on how people like him have to make tough life choices, hinting at the gravity of his condition. Now, nearly 13 months later, he is making his NFL return.
In 2023, Waller started 12 games for the Giants, gaining 522 receiving yards and scoring one touchdown. He began his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 but gained prominence during his five seasons with the Raiders from 2018 to 2022. Waller was suspended twice while with Baltimore due to violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, missing the entire 2017 season. However, during his Raiders tenure, he became known for his outspoken efforts to overcome those challenges.
Waller enjoyed back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020, earning Pro Bowl honors both years. In 2020, he logged 107 receptions, 1,196 yards, and nine touchdowns. Since then, he has yet to surpass 665 receiving yards in a single season.
Fan Take: Darren Waller’s comeback is a compelling and inspiring story for NFL fans, showcasing resilience and redemption. His return not only boosts the Dolphins’ offense but also reminds the league of the unpredictable twists in player careers that keep the sport exciting and dynamic.
