Darren Waller still considering retirement after Giants confusion

NFL

By Paul Schwartz and Ryan Dunleavy

INDIANAPOLIS — Darren Waller might be retiring from the NFL and if he does, the Giants need a new starting tight end. 

Waller told The Post on Friday that he is “still undecided’’ if he is going to continue his playing career.

Earlier in the day, the Giants spoke with Waller’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and, based on that conversation, were convinced that Waller was going to return for a second season with the team. 

Apparently, that might not be the case. 

“I have not made a decision either way,’’ Waller said. 

Following the 2023 season, Waller expressed to individuals in the Giants organization that he was contemplating retirement, sources told The Post.

His first year with the team did not go as planned — he got hurt again and managed to catch only one touchdown pass — and it seemed as if the 31-year-old tight end might have thought it was time to bid adieu to the NFL. 

Last year, Waller released his second rap album, “Walking Miracle,’’ and he might want to make music his second career. 

The Giants front office after the season was not aware that Waller was contemplating walking away.

A Giants source confirmed Friday, based on a conversation with his agent, that Waller would play for the team in 2024.

Waller caught wind of that report and made it clear he is not sure yet what he will do. 

Waller is due to make $10.5 in base salary this season and count $14 million on the salary cap.

The Giants have no intention of making him a cap casualty, The Post learned.

The Giants want him back and hope he can stay healthy and be a more robust contributor to the offense than he was in 2023.

Now, they must wait for Waller to decide if he is coming back. 

The Giants acquired Waller in March 2023, sending a third-round draft pick to the Raiders for what once was an explosive offensive weapon.

Waller in 2019 and 2020 combined for 197 receptions for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns.

A series of hamstring issues caused him to miss a total of 14 games in 2021 and 2022 and the Raiders had seen enough. 

With the Giants, Waller could not rise above the dysfunction on the offensive line and the revolving door at quarterback.

He strained a hamstring in Week 8 and missed five games.

Waller finished the season with 52 catches for 552 yards.

His lone touchdown came in Week 7 against the Commanders, hauling in a 15-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor in a 14-7 victory at MetLife Stadium. 

Waller has salary cap hits of $15.4 million in 2025 and $17.4 million in 2026 and it remains to be seen if he ever gets there.

For now, it remains to be seen if he plays in 2024.

The only tight end on the roster with substantial playing time is Daniel Bellinger, set to enter his third season.

If Waller is gone, the Giants will need to add a tight end in free agency and possibly also in the 2024 NFL Draft.