Giants tight end Darren Waller might retire after all.
Waller, who turns 32 in September, told NJ Advance Media on Friday he is still weighing his options — and retirement is one of them.
“I’m still undecided as of right now when it comes to a decision being made,” Waller wrote in a text message.
Retirement would be a surprising decision, even though Waller has struggled with injuries over the past three seasons.
Earlier Friday, the New York Post reported Waller had considered retiring, but the Giants believed he would return for a second season with them, after an underwhelming debut in 2023. Now, that might not be the case, as Waller initially told the Post later Friday he was still pondering retirement.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen last offseason traded a third-round draft pick to the Raiders for Waller. But the trade hasn’t worked out as planned so far. Still, the Giants do not plan on cutting Waller this offseason, according to the Post.
Waller was supposed to be a difference maker for coach Brian Daboll’s team last season. Instead, he was mostly a non-factor.
Presuming the Giants stick to their plan to not cut Waller, even after training camp, retirement would be a costly decision for him. He would leave behind $12 million — which would boost his career earnings to $54.8 million.
A hamstring injury derailed his 2023 season, just as it did in 2022 in Las Vegas, which set the stage for the trade.
Waller last season played 12 games, after playing nine and 11 in the previous two seasons. So over the past three seasons, Waller has played in 32 games and missed 19.
He made his lone Pro Bowl in 2020 — but hasn’t perform to that level since. Last season — amid his injury and the Giants’ quarterback attrition — he had just 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown. He had three impactful games — 98, 86, and 76 yards against the Commanders, Dolphins, and Cardinals, respectively. Otherwise, he topped out at 51 yards in his other games.
Schoen was…
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