The Miami Dolphins are searching for a replacement for John Smith and are encouraging players who were not on NFL rosters last year to join their team. Darren Waller, who recently retired, has been traded to the Dolphins by the New York Giants.
Waller, turning 33 in September, announced his retirement from football in June 2024. Despite this, the Giants held his rights due to a contract signed at the time of his retirement. The Dolphins agreed to send a 2027 sixth-round draft pick to the Giants in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick to finalize the deal. Waller is set to play for Miami on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, confirmed by his agent Drew Rosenhaus. This trade was first reported by NFL media.
This acquisition of Waller comes shortly after a major trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Miami sent Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a swap involving multiple Pro Bowl players.
Before retiring, Waller was regarded as one of the NFL’s top tight ends during his time with the Las Vegas Raiders. He earned Pro Bowl honors and achieved several 1,000-yard seasons over five years with the team. However, Waller has struggled with hamstring injuries in the past three years, playing only 12 games with 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown during his season with the Giants.
Fan Take: This move signals the Dolphins’ determination to reshape their roster with experienced talent despite recent retirements, which could shake up the competitive landscape of the NFL. For fans, it’s an exciting reminder of how quickly team dynamics can evolve, impacting both player careers and team performance.
