Former Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller had quite the journey in his NFL career. However, it does appear that he’s decided that his playing days are behind him. With that being said, where would you rank him on a list of the greatest Raiders tight ends?
Ian Rapoport, an NFL insider, reported this weekend that Waller has informed the New York Giants of his decision, according to a source.
“Giants TE Darren Waller has informed the team he plans to retire, walking away at the age of 31 after just one season with NYG. Waller hasn’t attended workouts, and the team had known for some time he may not play. Now, he’s officially let them know before minicamp.”
Arguably, one of the best decisions to come out of Jon Gruden’s second Raiders stint was to pick up Waller. Not too long ago, people referred to Waller as “elite” on the field. The numbers speak for themselves if you feel like taking a look. From 2019 to 2021, Waller hauled in 252 receptions, averaging nearly 12 yards per reception (11.9). Furthermore, during that run, you can add 14 touchdowns. Oh, then there’s 3,006 receiving yards total for an average of 1,002 per season. It was a short three-year run, but highly impressive, nonetheless.
Unfortunately, injuries quickly piled up, derailing his playing availability. Next, there was Gruden’s departure from the organization. Once Josh McDaniels took over as head coach for the Raiders, Waller was never the same. Waller’s personal life and exploits aside, it was a shame to see such a natural talent go by the wayside, strictly from a football perspective.
Is Darren Waller on the Mt. Rushmore of Raiders tight ends?
When we think of the tight end position in Raiders lore, there’s quite an impressive backlog. The roster includes Dave Casper, Todd Christensen, Raymond Chester, and Zach Miller. If we’re talking strictly about accolades, the aforementioned players have a wealth of them. The list has a Pro Football Hall of Famer, an All-Pro Rookie, and Super Bowl champions, along with record holders. For his part, Waller was a one-time Pro Bowler in 2020.
How Raiders fans choose to remember Waller and where he fits into the team’s history will be interesting to watch. Maybe Waller will land one day in a fringe top five spot.
*Top Photo: Getty Images