Giants trading Darren Waller to Dolphins after return from retirement

From the Giants perspective, the less said about their trade for Darren Waller, the better. With the talented, troubled tight end seemingly retired, it figured that chapter was over and done with for the Giants.

Lo and behold, there is a final move for the Giants with Waller. They traded him on Tuesday to the Dolphins, The Post confirmed, along with a conditional 2027 seventh-round draft pick. In return, the Giants get back a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Waller, now suddenly no longer retired, received a one-year contract from the Dolphins worth up to $5 million, according to NFL Network. He turns 33 in September.

Darren Waller (right) is getting traded to the Dolphins. AP

Last June, Waller announced he was leaving football after eight years in the NFL saying “the passion has slowly been fading.’’ He was going through a divorce from WNBA star Kelsey Plum and indicated he was going to continue to pursue a music career as a rapper.

This came as little surprise to those who observed his lackluster one and only season with the Giants. Waller was acquired from the Raiders for a third-round draft pick, with the Giants hoping the former Pro Bowler could add some juice to their passing attack.

The Giants were aware that Waller was injury prone with hamstring issues and it was well known that he had overcome drug problems early in his career. He spent his first two NFL seasons with the Ravens and then was suspended the first four games of 2016 and the entire 2017 season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

In 12 games for the Giants in 2023, Waller was a shell of his former self. He caught 52 passes for 552 yards and only one touchdown, missing time with yet another hamstring injury. After that season, Waller revealed that he experienced a “very scary’’ and serious medical issue that hospitalized him for nearly four days in November.

Darren Waller during a game with the Giants in January 2024. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Waller’s retirement at the time saved the Giants $11.6 million on their salary cap.

For two seasons (2019 and 2020), Waller was a star tight end with the Raiders, with 197 receptions for 2,311 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Dolphins on Monday traded away tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers, opening a spot for Waller.

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