New York Giants TE Darren Waller Will Officially Retire After Bizarre Offseason Drama

Darren Waller has retired from the NFL after nine years in the league.

The Giants, Waller's team from last year, commented on the player's decision, which haunted the franchise all offseason. New York added Waller, 31, a year ago, hoping to feature him as a premier pass-catching option for quarterback Daniel Jones.

NFL insider Adam Schefter posted the following Sunday: 

"Darren Waller is, and has been, expected to retire. Though he still has not personally informed the Giants of his decision, the team has released this statement: ‘We have great respect for Darren as a person and player. We wish him nothing but the best.’"

Waller, a high-upside player with some concerns off the field, played well below expectations and was once again limited by a hamstring injury in a one-year campaign for the Giants, which was a bitter note to leave on.

The Giants gain salary cap relief with Waller's decision, adding $11.5 million to their cap and a $2.5 million dead money cap hit.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 07: Darren Waller #12 of the New York Giants walks off of the field after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on January 7, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens selected Waller in 2015. Waller spent three years with Baltimore, during which time he dealt with substance abuse issues. He rebounded with a standout tenure with the Raiders from 2018 to 2022. He recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons (2019-2020) and made the Pro Bowl in 2020 after catching 107 passes for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Hamstring injuries tripped up Waller's longevity with the Raiders. The team signed Waller to a three-year, $51 million contract extension in 2022; eventually trading Waller to the Giants in 2023 for a compensatory third-round pick.

WATCH: Darren Waller Drops Another Strange Rap As Retirement News Looms

In one year with the G-Men, Waller started 11 games and caught 52 passes for 552 yards and a touchdown.  

Waller alerted the Giants of his potential retirement this offseason, though they still hoped he could play another season. Fans began growing skeptical of his return after Waller dropped a pair of bizarre music videos; one about his recent divorce from Kelsey Plum after a year of marriage and another focused on the drama surrounding his retirement. Waller skipped all 10 of the Giants' OTA sessions, and now Big Blue fans finally reach closure with the team's Darren Waller Experiment.

Once an elite NFL tight end, Waller will hopefully pivot to self-improvement, consistent with his platform concerning mental health.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 2: Darren Waller #12 of the New York Giants runs onto the field prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on October 2, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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