Giants TE Darren Waller makes decision on football future

Giants tight end Darren Waller did not have the 2023 season he imagined after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 8 that nagged him the rest of the year. 

It was so bad that he reportedly considered retirement after the season, and he has since decided on his football future.

According to the New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy, Waller plans to return for the 2024 season following his frustrating year.

Not only was Waller thinking about retiring, but he was also rumored to be a potential cap casualty since he is due to make $10.5 in base salary next season and account for $14 million of the salary cap. However, Dunleavy confirmed that New York will welcome him back, ending any speculation.

The 31-year-old is not the player he used to be when he combined for 197 receptions, 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2019 and 2020. However, he still proved to be a capable playmaker for the Giants, even while playing through injury.

In 2023, Waller posted 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown in 12 games. His stat line doesn't jump off the board, but none of New York's pass catchers had a jaw-dropping season.

Waller has dealt with hamstring injuries over the past few years, which is why the Raiders moved on from him and some believed the Giants could do so as well in the coming weeks. However, it would have been surprising if they did after trading a third-round pick to Las Vegas for him last offseason.

If Waller continues to struggle to stay on the field in 2024, then New York will have to consider moving on from him as he has a salary cap hit of $15.4 million in 2025 and $17.4 million in 2026.

But for now, Waller and the Giants seem ready to run it back after what was a frustrating season for both sides.