Rob Gronkowski explains why Darren Waller will return to 'Pro Bowl-caliber' form with Giants

Although injuries have hampered tight end Darren Waller's production over the past few seasons, four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski believes he'll return to form with the Giants.  

Las Vegas traded Waller, 30, to New York earlier this offseason in what was a somewhat shocking move. The Giants sent the 100th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Raiders as compensation, which they used to select Cincinnati wide receiver Tre Tucker.

During a recent appearance on FanDuel TV's "Up & Adams," Gronkowski admitted the trade "surprised" him since Josh McDaniels, his former OC, relies heavily on tight ends in his offense. Gronkowski, however, told host Kay Adams that Waller should continue to thrive, perhaps even more so, under Giants HC Brian Daboll, his ex-tight ends coach from his New England days. 

"When I saw Darren Waller go, I was kind of very surprised because I know how much Josh McDaniels loves to use tight ends in his system, so I completely made that trade, actually," Gronkowski said. "But he actually went to my other coach, Brian Daboll, with the New York Giants, and he loves to use tight ends even more. 

"I say this: Watch Darren Waller have a year this year. He's going to have a year…" he continued. "...Daboll is going to find a way to use him, utilize his skill set like no other. He's going to be all over the field."