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Dolphins Trading for Retired TE Darren Waller Who is Returning to the NFL

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Mike Oliva | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 1:53 PM ET

Tom Pellissero of the NFL Network is reporting the Dolphins are making a trade with the New York Giants for TE Darren Waller, who was retired. Waller is returning to the NFL and wants to play, and Miami has acquired his services in a trade with the Giants. The Dolphins are trading a Conditional 2026 6th-round pick to the Giants for Waller and a 2027 7th-round pick.

Miami signed Waller to a 1 year deal worth up to $5 million.

Waller last played in the NFL in 2023, and he did not play last season.

Waller is a former 6th-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2015. He has played for the Ravens, Raiders, and Giants. He had his most success with the Raiders, where he had back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons.

In his final season in the NFL in 2023, for the NY Giants, Waller played in 12 games, starting 11, with 52 receptions for 552 yards and one touchdown. His retirement was a surprise after the season because he was still considered one of the better tight ends in the NFL.

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.

— Tom Pelissero (@tompelissero.bsky.social) 2025-07-01T15:15:15.311Z

After trading Jonnu Smith the Dolphins had a huge void at the Tight End position and while Waller is a huge risk because you have to question if his heart is still in this after retiring and stepping away from the sport, he is a pass catching threat of a tight end which the Dolphins currently do not have on their roster.

There will be questions on what kind of shape he is in and what his conditioning is at this time.

Waller is no sure thing to even make the Dolphins 53 53-man roster, but if he is close to his old form, he can be a rotational tight end on passing downs to help Miami’s offense.

The Dolphins traded Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey on Monday to the Pittsburgh Steelers and acquired free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. It was then reported Miami was in the market for a tight end.

No word if Waller is the only tight end Miami is interested in bringing in or if they may look to add more.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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