Darren Waller retired from the NFL in 2023 after eight years. After a tough couple of years to start, he built a solid career and developed into one of the best tight ends in the NFL. After one year with the New York Giants, he decided it was time to step away from the game.
One specific moment for Waller, though, made him reconsider his career and led him to the conclusion to retire at season’s end.
Darren Waller Reveals His Retirement Epiphany
October 15, 2023, was the beginning of the end for Waller’s NFL journey. The game between the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills ended with a controversial no-call on Waller. The frustration from the no-call wasn’t the tipping point, though; a drive earlier in the game brought Waller to his decision.
Waller was acting as a lead blocker for star RB Saquon Barkley, who was still a Giant then. Similarly to a fullback, Waller was set to clear the path and open up holes for his running back to run through. This coaching decision led to Waller questioning his NFL career in between drives on the sideline.
“I sit down on the sideline after like a drive where we ran like three times, and I’m like, what the **** am I doing with my life? I’m out here playing fullback,” said Waller on a podcast about this moment.
Wild: Darren Waller decided to retire after the Giants made him play fullback against the Bills:
“I sit down on the sideline after a drive where we ran it like three times, and I’m like, ‘What the f–k am I doing with my life? I’m out here playing fullback. I don’t even want to… pic.twitter.com/QHQSpvwRsI
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 17, 2025
While this moment marked Waller’s internal decision to retire, he finished the season with his best effort. While he missed time due to injury, Waller didn’t let this choice hinder his team’s goals and efforts. He owed the Giants his best foot forward, and that’s what he did before retiring in June 2024.
Waller left money on the table to walk away from football. By retiring, he saved the Giants millions that could be allocated elsewhere. Even though the Giants didn’t get much out of Waller after trading for him in the offseason before his retirement, Waller’s decision gave the Giants some unexpected financial flexibility.
Waller ended his career with 350 receptions, 4,124 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns. His best years came with the Raiders as he notched two seasons of 90+ catches and at least 1,100 receiving yards.
Toward the end of his tenure with the Raiders, he struggled to stay healthy for full seasons, missing at least six games for the last three years of his career.
He is a player who didn’t give up after a rough start with the Baltimore Ravens as a receiver and reinvented himself into one of the NFL’s more reliable tight ends. He can walk away proud of his achievements, as many players cannot claim a Pro Bowl appearance. Waller will always be able to say he was a Pro Bowler and will be remembered for his success with the Raiders and his resilience throughout his career.