Darren Waller. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Giants TE Darren Waller shares admiration for his new QB

By Anthony Rivardo | Last updated 5/26/23

The New York Giants added an elite playmaker to their offense this offseason, trading for one-time Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller. The former Raider is teaming up with newly paid QB Daniel Jones in hopes of taking the Giants offense to the next level.

After just three practices with the team, it is already apparent that Waller is changing the shape of New York's offense. He and Jones have connected on a number of explosive plays during the first week of OTAs, instilling confidence in fans who are expecting Big Blue to take a step forward in 2023.

Waller shared high praise and admiration for his new QB following Thursday's practice. "I've been very impressed with Daniel," Waller said, via Giants.com. "Arm talent, intelligence, funny guy. He's got a lot of personality that you really get to see once you get to know him some more. It's been fun, man. Getting extra throwing sessions in, workout in the weight room. A lot of jokes. Just having lunch together. You can tell guys are really close around here, and he kind of leads that energy."

Jones connected with Waller right off the bat during seven-on-seven drills at Thursday's practice. Throwing into the wind, Jones put a deep ball on the money for Waller down the right sideline, putting the Giants defensive backs on notice.

looking forward to the noise complaints i will get after darren waller’s first touchdown as a Giant pic.twitter.com/Oxz8L8bb8W
— Ryan Disdier (@ryandisdier) May 25, 2023

Jones totaled a career-high 3,205 passing yards last season despite his leading receivers tying at only 57 catches in 2022 (Saquon Barkley and Richie James). Waller, who posted 107 receptions in 2020, is bringing size and versatility to the Giants passing game, two traits that Jones is thrilled to utilize.

"He's obviously a tough matchup for people, for defenses, with a guy who can run like that with that kind of size, and how you play him in man and how you account for him in zone coverages," Jones said. "He definitely gives something for a defense to worry about or to game plan for, and we can move him around and put him in different spots. Just a super versatile player."

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