Darren Waller is ending his retirement to play for the Miami Dolphins. See the details about how the tight end can play for the Dolphins below.
Darren Waller Traded To Dolphins
Surprise! The #Dolphins are finalizing a trade with the #Giants for former Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller, who is coming out of retirement to play in Miami, per sources.
A fascinating twist for Waller, who retired last summer, and a new weapon for a team that just traded Jonnu Smith. pic.twitter.com/MDO2XnHClb
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 1, 2025
Waller retired from football in June 2024. One year later, the 32-year-old is coming back to play in the NFL.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Dolphins are trading a 2026 sixth-round pick to the New York Giants for Waller and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Waller has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.
Waller previously cited a health scare in 2023 as the reason for his retirement. Waller spent over three days in the hospital after experiencing a fever, vomiting, chills, and shortness of breath.
“Was pretty clear I almost just lost my life,” Waller said in a YouTube video. “I don’t know if I really feel like if I would’ve died that I would’ve felt great about how my life was going.”
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Waller in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
After spending three seasons with the Ravens, Waller signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Waller broke out in 2019 with 90 catches for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns. The tight end followed that season up with even better numbers — 107 receptions for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns.
In 2022, Waller signed a three-year, $51 million contract extension with the Raiders to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. One year later, the Raiders traded Waller to the New York Giants for a compensatory 2023 third-round pick.
Waller caught 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown in his lone season with the Giants.
Darren Waller Acquisition Comes One Day After Dolphins Trade Jonnu Smith
Trade | We have agreed to terms on a trade with Pittsburgh for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick, pending physicals.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) June 30, 2025
The Waller acquisition comes one day after the Dolphins completed a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Dolphins traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Waller has big shoes to fill after Smith’s departure. Smith recorded 88 receptions for 884 receiving yards, Dolphins franchise records for tight ends. Smith added eight touchdowns.
Waller will have a chance to start at tight end for a Dolphins offense that includes Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane.
The Dolphins’ tight ends include Pharaoh Brown, Tanner Conner, Julian Hill, Hayden Rucci, and Jalin Conyers.
