Darren Waller was considered the Giants’ headline impact acquisition last offseason, and after a disappointing debut campaign, the tight end reportedly entered this offseason with uncertainty about his future.
According to Paul Schwartz and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, the 31-year-old told members of the Giants organization that he was contemplating retirement after hauling in just one touchdown catch in a season where he was expected to open up the offense around Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.
Instead, Waller, Jones, and Barkley all wound up missing significant time with injuries, the offensive line was in shambles amid a hamstring injury to Andrew Thomas, and the Giants sputtered into a lost season.
But, despite the reported thoughts of retirement, Waller has decided to return in 2024, and he will not be a cap casualty, as New York is expected to welcome him back for a second season. Waller is due to count $14 million against the salary cap for Big Blue in the upcoming season.
Waller will look to overcome what has now turned into years of hamstring issues in an effort to return to the player he once was with the Raiders. Apparently, he nearly decided to abandon that quest and call it a career.