Former Raiders GM sends positive message to Dolphins' Darren Waller

Darren Waller spent last season retired after playing for the New York Giants in 2023. However, this offseason, the Miami Dolphins got the 32-year-old to come out of retirement, and one former Las Vegas Raiders general manager wants to see the veteran succeed.

Former Raiders general manager Mike Mayock appeared on "The Rich Eisen Show," where he was asked about his former player returning to the NFL. The 66-year-old responded with a positive message for Waller as he begins his first season with the Dolphins.

"When he's healthy, productive, and all in, he's as good as any tight end in football," Mayock told Eisen. "So I'm rooting for him. All my positive thoughts are with him, and I hope that at the end of this year, he feels like he made the right decision."

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While the Dolphins want to see if Waller can rediscover his past Raiders form, his path back to the NFL field will differ from what current Miami players are doing. In July, the Dolphins placed Waller on the physically unable to perform list as he works to get back into football shape.

Last month, Waller spoke with the media about finding his passion for football again and what's happening behind the scenes with the Dolphins to help him get back into shape and ensure a successful 2025 season.

"That joy has kind of been elusive," Waller said (h/t NBC Miami). "But I've always found moments where it came back. It's something I have been able to experience, and I feel like that's possible this time around...

"I've been in shape and doing a lot of crazy different workout things in my retirement, but it hasn't been football specific movements," Waller said. "So there needs to be a solid foundation that's laid before just going out there, because I'm going to want to go 120 percent, so sometimes you have to save me from myself."