Former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller has retired from the NFL at age 31 after a single season with the New York Giants.
Waller informed the Giants of his decision before the start of minicamp, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. The Giants confirmed his retirement in a statement Sunday afternoon.
“We have great respect for Darren as a person and a player,” the statement says. “We wish him nothing but the best.”
New York’s mandatory minicamp begins Tuesday. The Giants traded a third-round draft pick to acquire Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders before last season.
Waller: Medical situation preceded retirement request
Waller addressed his decision in a YouTube video released Sunday afternoon. He mentioned his recent divorce from WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum and described a frightening off-field medical situation last season that “forced me into a position to reevaluate.”
Waller did not explain what the medical condition was, but he described a scene that led to a mid-season hospital stay while he was out of the team with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 8 against the Jets.
“Last season in New Jersey, we played the Jets on October 29th,” Waller said. “I got hurt in that game. The next week, the Giants were playing the Raiders in Las Vegas. … I started to feel a fever coming on. … The fever starts to rise, I start to get chills and stuff like that. The moment I pull into my condo’s garage and get out of the car, I’m shaking violently, uncontrollably.
Waller said he “couldn’t breathe” in his bed the next morning and called 911. He said paramedics responded and he ended up spending 3 1/2 days in a hospital.
“It was pretty clear that I almost lost my life,” Waller said. “I don’t know if I really feel like if I had died, I would feel great about how my life is going.”
Waller didn’t share her diagnosis, but said her passions in life had changed.
“The worst possible thing for… someone like me would be to think that I have to choose one life path, one path and follow it like most of the world does,” Waller continued.
The Giants were prepared for Waller’s decision
A veteran of eight NFL seasons, Waller is reportedly considering retirement throughout the off season. His decision came as no surprise to the Giants, who selected Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft. The Giants certainly expected more than one season of service from him when they traded for him in 2023.
Waller addressed his situation on social media on June 3, amid reports that he was considering retirement. He then said he had not yet made a decision.
Waller started 12 games for the Giants in 2023, recording 52 receptions for 522 yards and a touchdown. He previously played six seasons with the Raiders and made the Pro Bowl after the 2020 season. He played his first two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens starting in 2015.
What’s next for Waller, Giants?
Waller continued to be a productive NFL starter and would have projected at the top of the Giants’ depth chart had he remained with the team. He released a music video in May depicting his relationship and marital breakdown with Plum. The couple announced their divorce in early May, after a year of marriage. It’s unclear whether Waller intends to move forward with the song.
With Waller gone, third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger projects as New York’s No. 1 tight end next season. Bellinger started 13 games last season, recording 25 receptions for 255 yards. Johnson and Former Philadelphia Eagles starter Jack Stoll could also compete for starting time.
By Spotrac, Waller’s retirement frees up $11.6 million in salary cap space for next season. He will be responsible for cap hits of $2.45 million in 2024 and $4.9 million in 2025.
