Darren Waller announces retirement from NFL after successful career
- Darren Waller, a former Pro Bowl tight end, announced his retirement from the NFL after a successful career spanning multiple teams.
- Waller had been contemplating his football career for months before making the decision to retire.
- His retirement marks the end of a notable chapter in his professional football journey.
Darren Waller, the New York Giants tight end, has announced his retirement from football in a YouTube video. Waller cited the NFL's support in helping him through rehab as a crucial factor in his decision. Despite a successful career that included a breakout season in 2019 and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2020, Waller struggled with injuries and uncertainty about his future commitment to the game. His three-year, $51 million deal with the Raiders in 2022 made him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL. However, injuries continued to hamper his performance, leading to his trade to the Giants in 2023. Waller's decision to retire at the age of 31 was not unexpected, as he had been hinting at it throughout the offseason. The Giants expressed their respect for him as both a person and a player, wishing him the best in his future endeavors. Waller's retirement marks the end of a tumultuous period in his life, during which he also focused on his music career and went through a public divorce. Despite the challenges, Waller leaves behind a legacy of 350 career receptions, 4,124 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns, culminating in a Pro Bowl selection in 2020.