Dolphins Acquire Retired Tight End Darren Waller from Giants
The Miami Dolphins have secured the services of tight end Darren Waller from the New York Giants, marking a significant move nearly a year after Waller announced his retirement from professional football.
In exchange, the Dolphins will send a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2026 to the Giants, receiving a seventh-round pick in 2027 along with Waller, who is set to return to the field on a one-year contract valued at up to $5 million, as confirmed by his agent Drew Rosenhaus. This trade was first reported by NFL Network.
This transaction follows Miami's recent decision to trade Pro Bowler Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith had just completed the most successful season for a tight end in Dolphins history. The team opted not to meet Smith's contract demands, leading to his departure alongside All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who also sought a change of scenery.
In that earlier trade, Miami acquired All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, further reshaping their roster.
Waller's addition addresses Miami's pressing need for a reliable tight end. Prior to his retirement in June 2024, he recorded 350 receptions, totaling 4,124 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns across his tenures with the Ravens, Raiders, and Giants.
His standout seasons came in 2019 and 2020, where he combined for 197 catches, 2,341 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Waller earned a Pro Bowl selection for the 2020 season and was an alternate the previous year before an injury sidelined him.
However, injuries have plagued Waller over the past three years; he played only 12 games last season with the Giants, finishing with 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown.
