Somehow, someway, the New York Giants found a suitor for tight end Darren Waller, the former Pro Bowl tight end who decided to come out of retirement for the 2025 NFL season.
The Giants will receive a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Miami Dolphins for Waller and a conditional 2027 seventh-rounder, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Surprise! The #Dolphins are finalizing a trade with the #Giants for former Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller, who is coming out of retirement to play in Miami, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 1, 2025
A fascinating twist for Waller, who retired last summer, and a new weapon for a team that just traded Jonnu Smith. pic.twitter.com/MDO2XnHClb
The fact that GM Joe Schoen managed to pull a Day-3 pick in next year's NFL draft for Waller is nothing short of remarkable.
Waller last played for Big Blue in 2023, when he totaled 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown. His last impactful season came in 2020, when he caught 107 passes for 1,196 yards and nine scores.
Darren Waller among TEs from 2019-2023:
— PFF (@PFF) July 1, 2025
- 90.2 receiving grade (4th)
- 3,947 yards (4th)
- 196 first downs (4th)
Back in the NFL as a Miami Dolphin 🐬 pic.twitter.com/dGMES82cGL
We'll see if Waller, who turns 33 in September, has any juice left in his legs. He'll replace Jonnu Smith, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, in the Dolphins' offense.