New York Giants tight end Darren Waller officially announced his retirement in June, months after making the personal decision to walk away from football. What surprised many was Waller’s recent revelation that he had actually decided to retire during the middle of the 2023 season—while still in uniform and on the field. The announcement comes as the Giants continue reshaping their offense heading into the new season.
In a candid conversation on The Side You Don’t See podcast, Waller shared that the moment of clarity came during a Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills. Early in the first quarter, he found himself blocking on a run play and questioned his passion for the game. “I’m out here playing fullback,” he said. “I don’t even want to do this sh– anymore.” That quiet moment on the sideline became the turning point in his career.
Though his mind was made up, Waller chose to finish the season out of commitment to his teammates and the organization. He never mentioned his decision publicly or to team officials until months later. “I was like, ‘Yup, I’m going to finish this year to the best of my ability, but I’m definitely done playing after this year,’” Waller said. True to his word, he played through the rest of the season without letting anyone in on his internal decision.
Waller finished the 2023 campaign with 52 receptions for 552 yards across 12 games—solid production for his lone season with the Giants after being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. While the numbers showed value, Waller admitted the fire to keep competing had already faded. One of the most memorable moments came in that very Week 6 game, when a last-second pass intended for him fell incomplete in a 14–9 loss.
The Giants had spent the 2024 offseason waiting for clarity on Waller’s future, as retirement rumors lingered. It wasn’t until early June that he made it official, catching the team and fans off guard. The delay in communication drew some criticism, but others appreciated his honesty and dedication to finishing the season strong before stepping away.
With football now behind him, Waller is pursuing a music career, channeling his energy and creativity into a new passion. While his NFL chapter may have closed sooner than expected, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience, having battled through personal struggles and injuries to become one of the league’s more dynamic tight ends during his prime.
