In a surprising development, former New York Giants tight end Darren Waller, who shocked fans a little over a year ago when he announced his retirement from football, was headed to the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday.
The Giants, who still retained the rights to Waller, received a 2026 sixth-round pick from Miami.
A vacancy in the Dolphins' depth chart opened up after tight end Jonnu Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers along with cornerback Jalen Ramsey and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Miami received safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in the trade.
When discussing his retirement decision, Waller explained that he knew the exact moment he would step away from the game.
"I don't know if I've shared this with anybody, but I knew I was retiring when we played in Buffalo," Waller recalled.
In 2023, the Giants were on the road in Week 7 to play the Bills. A Sunday Night Football matchup that saw Buffalo eke out a 14-9 win with a fourth-quarter rally.
"It was a game where it was really controversial because one of the guys held me at the end, and they didn't call it. It was in the first quarter of the game. We were running this counter lead running play, and I'm kind of leading through the hole like I'm a fullback. And the play is working."
New York leaned heavily on running back Saquon Barkley in that contest, as he had 24 carries for 93 yards.
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
"But I sit down on the sideline after I drive where we ran it three times, and I'm like, 'What the (expletive) am I doing with my life? I'm out here playing fullback. I don't even want to do this (expletive) anymore. I'm just looking at the moon. It's early second quarter. Nobody else would really even know that I'm thinking this, but I'm on the sideline thinking, 'I'm gonna finish this year with the best of my ability, but I'm definitely done playing."
Waller finished that loss with five catches for 43 yards. In 12 games that season, he caught 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown.
The Dolphins have a crowded depth chart at the tight end position. Waller will have to beat out the presumed starter entering training camp, Pharaoh Brown, who signed as a free agent this offseason after playing with the Seattle Seahawks a year ago.