Darren Waller shocked the NFL world when he announced that he might be retiring soon. A month has been passed but the TE had been quiet about his plans after that.
Fans considered it a sign of Waller changing his mind about his retirement. However, recently, the TE talked about his plan in detail, hinting at what’s possibly going to happen.
Darren Waller yet to make a decision on playing in 2024
While talking about his retirement plans Darren Waller, who recently shared his drug addiction story shared that he has not yet decided to play in the NFL for the 2024 season.
“I haven’t made a decision yet,” Waller said.
Waller acknowledged the extensive commitment and process involved in an NFL season.
“It’s just a matter of respecting the process. There’s so much that goes into the process of going from April through February of an NFL season. The commitment that it requires. I’m a guy who’s evolving, who’s growing, who’s played a lot of football and been through a lot.”
The TE is grappling with the level of commitment he can give to the process, recognizing that less than 100% commitment would be a disservice to his teammates and the organization.
“I’m at the point now where I’m like, ‘OK, how much am I willing to give to the process. If it’s not 100%, it’s a disservice to the teammates and the organization that I have. I’m still trying to make a decision on that and it’s tough to make one or the other out of emotion.”
Darren Waller acknowledged the difficulty of deciding. It is important to note that the TE is considering retirement while he still has a contract till 2026.
What is Darren Waller’s contract with the Giants?
Darren Waller’s current contract with the New York Giants spans three years with a total value of $51 million.
The contract includes a signing bonus of $825,000 and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. Out of the total amount, $22,000,000 is guaranteed, with $19,250,000 guaranteed at signing.
Waller is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 but he is already considering retirement. It is probably because of the decline in his performance in recent years.
Darren Waller had consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2019 and 2020 but experienced a decline in performance and increased injuries thereafter.
His 2021 season with the Giants saw him playing only 11 games and recording 665 yards and two touchdowns on 55 catches. In 2022, with the Raiders, Darren Waller’s performance was again affected by injuries, resulting in 388 receiving yards in nine games before he was traded.
His tenure with the Giants in 2023 was also marked by injuries, with just one touchdown and 552 receiving yards in five games.
Now, whatever option Darren Waller wants to choose for his future, he will have to make a decision soon as the draft will take place in late April. The TE will have to announce his final decision before that.
