The Dolphins were known to be looking for tight ends who could be acquired via trade after dealing Jonnu Smith to the Steelers on Monday, and they found one in the unlikeliest of places.
Miami acquired TE Darren Waller from the Giants on Tuesday, bringing the veteran out of retirement. Waller, a Pro-Bowler with the Raiders, announced his retirement more than a year ago.
The Dolphins were down to limited options at tight end after dealing Smith, whose name was popular in trade rumors throughout the offseason. Whether Waller can effectively fill the void after a year away from the field is uncertain, but he has a clear path to playing time in Miami.
Here’s what you need to know about Waller’s decision to join the Dolphins.
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Why is Darren Waller coming out of retirement?
Waller is signing a one-year, $5 million deal to play for the Dolphins. The Giants still held his rights, so Miami sent a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick to New York in exchange for Waller and a 2027 seventh-round pick to complete the transaction.
Why Waller is ending his retirement is unclear, but at his age, he likely still believes he has something in the tank. Waller cited an unspecified health emergency from 2023 as one of the reasons for his retirement, and the year away from the field could have put him in a better situation both physically and mentally after he battled injuries from 2020-2022.Â
Just weeks ago, however, Waller explained on a podcast that he knew as early as October 2023 that he wanted to retire. “What the f–k am I doing with my life? I’m out here playing fullback. I don’t even want to do this sh– anymore,” Waller revealed he said to himself while playing in a prime-time game against the Bills with the Giants.Â
Waller’s words could offer an explanation into his decision to unretire, as he could have more of a receiving role than a blocking role lined up in Miami, where the passing game is a major part of the Dolphins’ offense and where there’s no tight end likely to threaten Waller’s snaps.Â
Waller posted a pair of 1,000-yard seasons with the Raiders before injuries hampered him over his final three seasons before his temporary retirement.
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How old is Darren Waller?
Waller is 32 years old; he’s set to turn 33 in September.Â
Waller’s decision to retire at 31 came as a surprise to some, though be battled injuries over the final three years before the announcement. Health issues limited his production, though 552 yards and a touchdown over 12 games in 2023 might be partially excused by the Giants’ anemic offense.Â
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Dolphins TE depth chart
| TE | Rank |
| 1 | Darren Waller |
| 2 | Pharaoh Brown |
| 3 | Julian Hill |
| 4 | Tanner Conner |
| 5 | Jalin Conyers |
| 6 | Hayden Rucci |
Waller has a clear path to playing time in Miami, as there is no proven starting option behind him on the Dolphins’ tight end depth chart.
Brown is easily the most experienced of the bunch outside of Waller, but he only has 751 yards and three touchdowns in seven NFL seasons. Hill had 100 yards on 12 catches with the Dolphins last season, while Conner, Conyers and Rucci are almost certainly just camp bodies for Miami.
Even as he approaches his age-33 season, Waller will try to use fresh legs to his advantage and take on a prominent role net to star wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
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