Giants trade Darren Waller to Dolphins as TE comes out of retirement

The Giants traded tight end Darren Waller and a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for a 2026 sixth-round selection, the teams announced Monday.

Waller, 32, announced his retirement from football June 9, 2024.

The Giants acquired Waller in a March 15, 2023, trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Waller signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Raiders Sept. 10, 2022.

Waller finished the 2024 season with 52 receptions for 552 yards and one touchdown.

Waller recently said during a podcast appearance that he made the decision to retire during an Oct. 15, 2023, loss at the Buffalo Bills.

"It was a controversial game because one of the guys held me at the end, and they didn't call it," Waller said. "It was the first quarter, we were running this counter-run play, and I'm leading through the hole like I'm a fullback, and the play is working.

"Then I sit down on the sideline after a drive where we ran like three times, and I'm like, 'What the f--k am I doing with my life? I'm out here playing fullback. I don't even want to do this s--t anymore.'

"I'm just looking at the moon, it's early first (or) second quarter, and nobody else would really even know I am thinking this, but I'm on the sideline like, 'Yep, I'm going to finish this year to the best of my ability but I am definitely done after this year.'"