The All-Pro tight end Darren Waller gets dealt to the New York Giants after the Raiders traded for a slew of new players
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.Y.– Just days after trading for veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Las Vegas Raiders have made the decision to deal All-Pro tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants. Waller has been a critical piece for the Las Vegas Raiders over the past couple of years, but spent a good chunk of the 2022 season hurt after being placed on injured reserve.
Waller’s trade comes just a season after signing a massive three-year, $51 million contract extension, and it’s assumed his high cap hit was enough justification for Vegas to want to get him off the books. The team just signed QB Jimmy Garoppolo along with Jakobi Meyers to a massive deal that will take up big room in the Raiders accounting sheets.
The New York Giants will get one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends in recent history, with 3,572 career receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. 2020 was his most productive year by far, setting career highs in yards with 1,196 and a league-leading 107 receptions. Waller’s big contract was justified, considering his road from one of the darkest stories in the NFL.
Waller is a former drug-addict, and began using oxycodone at the age of 16. He has stated in the past that the addiction got so bad by the time he was an adult that he was spending over $100 on pills every day. It took until 2017 for him to get clean after overdosing in his car one night– when he subsequently admitted himself into rehab in Maine. He has made a remarkable comeback, with him publicly coming out that he has been clean since that life-altering moment.
The Giants have sought long for an upgrade at tight end, a position in 2022 was started by Daniel Bellinger. The TE position in New York has been unstable since Evan Engram’s departure to Jacksonville, and now will receive a steady hand. Waller’s 6’6″ frame is perfect as a new weapon for freshly extended Daniel Jones, as well as a boost for the receiving game in general. Sterling Shepard will return after being a healthy scratch for two seasons straight and Waller’s arrival will serve as a big bonus for Darius Slayton’s up and coming career.
The Raiders get a third round pick for Waller, a pick that will be valuable as the Raiders aim to replace Darren Waller. Las Vegas is left with two tight ends on the roster, Jesper Horsted and Cole Fotheringham, both of which haven’t shown starting level ability. New York will use Waller and Bellinger in two tight end sets, giving leeway for running back Saquon Barkley to take hold, whom the Giants franchise tagged around a week ago.
The Giants now look more dangerous than ever, with a solid offensive unit. Waller’s impromptu addition makes for a two-way go with New York’s offense. Saquon Barkley has proven to be a dangerous threat running the ball and Daniel Jones has shown he’s good enough to lead New York to victory.
