Raiders ex-star explains shocking decision to retire at age 31

Not all that long ago, Darren Waller was one of the best tight ends in football.

But he retired before the 2024 season after NFL time with the Ravens, Raiders and Giants. And in a new interview, Waller explained why.

Evaluating the Giants' QB room 'The Insiders'

The story goes back to 2023, Waller's lone season with the Giants.

On one play, Waller lined up at fullback. And although that wasn't the final play of his NFL career, it was where his mind got made up.

“I knew I was retiring when we played in Buffalo,” Waller said. “It was really controversial because one of the guys held me at the end of the game, [and] they didn’t call it. It was in the first quarter of the game. We were running this counter-lead running play, and I’m kind of leading through the hole like I’m a fullback. The play is working, but I sit down on the sideline after a drive where we ran it like three times, and I’m like, ‘What the f— am I doing? I’m out here playing fullback. I don’t even want to do this s— anymore.'"

Waller waited until after that season to officially announce his retirement.

He had begun his NFL career as a disappointment with the Ravens, but he turned his life and career around to become a star for the Raiders.

In 2019, he had 90 catches for 1,145 yards. He topped it in 2020 with 107 grabs for 1,196 yards and 9 TDs.

Waller struggled with injuries the following two seasons before departing for the Giants. In New York, he had 52 catches for 552 yards and a touchdown.

Now, Waller is a musician. That likely would've happened anyway, but the path toward his future began on that fateful play as a fullback in Giants blue.

Giants insider says former Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt 'clashed' with coaching staff and upper management in New York in 2024

Commanders Urged to Trade for $14 Million Former First Round Pick

Raiders' Ambitious Roster Overhaul Stalled by Unexpected AFC Rival Intervention—Could This Block Signal a Major Shift in the AFC Landscape?

NFL Sends Strong Message on Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy in Major Announcement

Thu Thao - 06/18/2025

The Latest

Raiders ex-star explains shocking decision to retire at age 31

Sport -7 giờ

Not all that long ago, Darren Waller was one of the best tight ends in football. But he retired before the 2024 season after NFL time with the Ravens, Raiders and Giants. And in a new interview, Waller explained why. Evaluating the Giants' ...

Former Lions 3rd-Round Pick on Thin Ice as Training Camp Approaches

Sport -7 giờ

The Detroit Lions took a big chance on a small-school defensive lineman in 2023, using a third-round pick on Western Kentucky standout Brodric Martin with the hope that he could boost the team’s shaky defensive line. Two years later, the team could be ...

Backfield Shake-Up? Two Under-the-Radar Speedsters Making Noise in Commanders RB Room

Sport -7 giờ

The Washington Commanders enter the 2025 season with renewed expectations under head coach Dan Quinn and a revamped roster that is built to contend, not rebuild. While most of the attention has centered on star quarterback Jayden Daniels and the absence of Pro-Bowl WR Terry McLaurin (seeking contract ...

Cowboys Urged to Sign $94 Million NFL All-Pro LB for Struggling Run Defense

Sport -7 giờ

The numbers don’t lie when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys defense — they were really bad in 2024. Like, close to the worst in the NFL. The Cowboys were 28th in team defense and even worse against the run, finishing 30th. That’s ...

Lamar Jackson Publicly Urges Ravens GM to Sign Former Pro Bowler

Sport -7 giờ

Lamar Jackson touched on a handful of topics when speaking to the media after their mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday, but one statement he sent to Ravens GM Eric DeCosta stood out regarding the possibility of adding a former Pro Bowler to ...