Since the significant trade of Jonnu Smith, the team’s starting tight end, along with All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dolphins have been on the lookout for tight end solutions.
This prompted NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero to tweet that the team would be exploring tight end options shortly after the major trade took place.
Initially, the focus was on Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, but it turned out to be a different player who is making his way to Florida.
The Miami Dolphins trade for Darren Waller
Once again, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the Dolphins are finalizing a trade to acquire New York Giants tight end Darren Waller:
As indicated in the tweet, Waller is presently retired, meaning he must file reinstatement documents to return to the league. A former Pro Bowler with the Las Vegas Raiders, Waller’s decade-long career started as a backup for the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2015 draft.
After a suspension in 2017, the Raiders claimed him, where he enjoyed a breakout in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, tallying over 1,000 receiving yards in both. This success led to a hefty three-year, $51 million extension in 2022, although he played only one year under that contract before being traded to the Giants.
Ironically, Waller recently discussed his choice to retire after a disappointing year with the Giants on The Side You Don’t See podcast, reflecting on the events that drove him to step away:
“It was in the first quarter of the game, we were running like this counter-lead running play, and I’m kind of like leading through the hole like I’m a fullback,” Waller mentioned.
“And the play is working, but I sit down on the sideline after a drive where we ran it three times, and I’m like, ‘What the f— am I doing with my life? I’m out here playing fullback. I don’t even want to do this s— anymore.’”
Waller’s role with the Dolphins
Clearly, Waller’s perspective has shifted after sitting out the entire 2024 season, likely influenced by his new destination.
Mike McDaniel, rooted in the Kyle Shanahan coaching lineage, has consistently extracted maximum potential from agile, physical tight ends—consider George Kittle as a prime example—which aligns well with Waller’s style of play.
Additionally, he’s joining a squad that needs a third target behind wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, and his past performances indicate he can fulfill that role effectively.
Overall, this move appears to offer Waller a strong opportunity to return to the league, representing a worthwhile gamble for the Dolphins as they seek to fill their newly vacant tight end position. Only time will tell if the break from the field has impacted the veteran’s abilities.
Image Source: Jonnu Smith @ Instagram
