Tag: darren waller

Darius Slayton, Darren Waller remain away from New York Giants

As the New York Giants continue to plow through their offseason workout program, two prominent offensive veterans remain absent.

Tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Darius Slayton were not in attendance again during Thursday’s practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Canter.

Waller has been away from the team while he ponders his football future while Slayton is gunning for a contract extension. Last season, Waller was second on the team with 52 receptions. Slayton was third with 50.

“They are not. No,” said head coach Brian Daboll when asked if either player was in the building on Thursday.

The Giants are likely giving Waller until June 1 to make his decision as the salary cap charge situation changes then.

“I would say the same thing I said last month, let Darren take what he needs to take and once the decision is made, we’ll go from there,” Daboll said. “we have conversations, obviously, but when Darren makes his decision, that’s what we’ll go with.”

Slayton is on the second leg of a two-year, $12 million deal but wants the Giants to commit for longer as he had other opportunities last summer and chose to stay with the team.

“I’ve spoken to Slay,” said Daboll, who said the conversations have been ‘fine.’ “So, again, this is voluntary. If he wants to be here, great. If there’s anyone that doesn’t want to be here, that’s their choice, that’s why it’s voluntary.”

Slayton has been the Giants’ leading receiver since the team selected him out of Auburn in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft. They have been building up their wide receiver corps the past few seasons, so his importance has dwindled a bit heading into this offseason.

Daboll was asked if he saw any resolution to either situation anytime soon.

“I would say whenever they decide, they decide. Darius is obviously under contract, so, again, whenever it comes up, we’ll deal with it then,” he said.

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Theo Johnson believes he can be a ‘special player’ for New York Giants

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, got his first taste of East Rutherford earlier this week.

Johnson was among a horde attending the team’s annual rookie minicamp and the reality of his professional future finally set in.

“You know, you dream of playing for an NFL team, but actually having that ‘NY’ on your helmet, it’s a different feeling,” he told reporters.

As excited as Johnson is for the next phase of his career, he remains equally as confident. He believes he can adjust well to the NFL and develop into a “special” player for the Giants.

“It’s really exciting for me because I think I have a super high ceiling. I think I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I’m capable of. I’m really looking forward to proving every day that I’m out here,” he said. “I think I have tremendous room to improve. I think I can grow a lot more than where I’m at right now. I think that’s why I’m so excited.

“I’m coming in here with a learning mindset. I want to develop respect from my teammates and my coaches. I think that’s going to help me continue to grow and improve. But I’m super excited to get to work and get going here, because I think I have a potential to be a really special player here.”

How much of a role Johnson plays as a rookie will hinge on the future of veteran Darren Waller, who remains undecided about retirement two weeks after the draft.

Thus far, Johnson hasn’t heard a peep from Waller but would like to see him return to the tight ends room.

“At the end of the day, him being in the room is going to be good for everybody, so we’ll see how it shakes out,” Johnson said.

If Waller calls it a career, Johnson is ready to assume the additional responsibilities with an eye on doing “special” things within the offense.

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Do New York Giants need to add more talent at the tight end position?

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been busy this offseason filling his team’s most glaring needs in preparation for the 2024 season.

But not all of the team’s needs have been addressed. There’s always work to be done.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz recently listed each team’s biggest remaining roster holes now that the draft and the bulk of free agency are over. For the Giants, he sees their biggest hole at the tight end position.

This is another team with questions at running back even after adding free agent Devin Singletary, but we’ll go with tight end as the team’s largest hole. That assumes that Darren Waller will retire, which is up in the air. If Waller leaves, the Giants will go back to starting Daniel Bellinger, who caught just 30 passes as a rookie in 2022 and then 25 more last season. The G-Men spent a fourth-round pick on Theo Johnson out of Penn State to back up Bellinger and/or Waller. They also have veteran blocking tight end Chris Manhertz and former Eagles backup Jack Stoll. For a team coming off a 6-11 season, New York has a surprisingly hole-free starting lineup — as long as you don’t want to have a complicated debate about the quarterback position.

Schatz is not buying into the narrative that Johnson is going to contribute more than expected as a rookie. He also makes no mention of Lawrence Cager, a player who continues to find his way on the field for the Giants.

Darren Waller is almost certain to retire as he is still mulling his future as the team goes through their offseason training program. Daniel Bellinger has never been given a primary role as a receiver and it’s anyone’s guess how he’ll handle an expanded role in his third season.

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Is New York Giants’ receiving corps among the league’s most improved?

The 2024 NFL draft saw several teams upgrade their receiver rooms. Are the New York Giants among the teams that improved the most?

Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus believes so:

Darius Slayton’s ongoing contract discussions combined with the Giants having the worst receiving grade in the league last year left the team in need of some juice at wideout. The team got exactly that in LSU’s Malik Nabers, who led the FBS in receiving grade in 2023 (minimum 15 targets). A staple of Nabers’ game is slipperiness after the catch, as reflected by his 30 missed tackles forced last year.

If Slayton does remain in blue and red, he’ll form a potent one-two punch with the 20-year-old Nabers. Regardless, Nabers provides real insurance, given the inconsistent production of Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, who each tallied less than 530 yards in 2023.

Beyond Nabers, general manager Joe Schoen was proactive in finding a new tight end. Veteran Darren Waller continues to seriously mull retirement, so the Giants snatched Penn State’s Theo Johnson at 107th overall. Not only did Johnson test incredibly well — with a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score — but he was also a red-zone weapon for the Nittany Lions. His seven touchdowns in 2023 tied for a team high.

Daniel Bellinger projects as TE1 for New York, but Johnson should feature in 12 personnel, which offensive coordinator Mike Kafka ran on 23% of plays in 2023 — the 12th-highest rate in the NFL.

Assuming quarterback Daniel Jones remains under center, both the explosive Nabers and Johnson should augment a poor group from the year before. Both could go a long way in returning the Giants’ offense to its efficient 2022 form.

New York went into the 2023 season with one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL. It was highlighted by Darren Waller, Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell and Wan’Dale Robinson.

Waller was in the back end of his career and not very productive, and it was clear that Slayton, Campbell and Robinson should not be top receiving options on the team. This resulted in the Giants passing for only 3,351 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The deficiency was clear, and the front office decided to address it with a premium draft pick by selecting wide receiver Malik Nabers sixth overall.

In his collegiate career, Nabers totaled 189 receptions for 3,003 yards and 21 touchdowns (14 in his final season). Nabers should be an instant winner on the outside as he is an elite space creator and is electric with the ball in his hands.

The Giants also drafted tight end Theo Johnson, who racked up 77 receptions for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns (seven in his final season) in his collegiate career.

The two rookies totaled more touchdowns last season than the Giants’ entire receiving corps. Only time will tell if the team has really turned the receiving corps around but as of now, it looks good.

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Giants drafted Theo Johnson with Darren Waller’s uncertainty in mind

Heading into the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Giants were still uncertain about whether or not star tight end Darren Waller would ever play for them again.

Waller is still mulling his options while going through a tumultuous time in his personal life, including a divorce from his wife, WNBA star Kelsey Plum, after only a year.

After the second day of the draft, the Giants still had no clarity on Waller’s status.

“No, nothing’s changed there,” said Giants general manager Joe Schoen. “We’re still giving him space and when he’s ready to make a decision, we’ll have those conversations.”

Those conversations were suddenly rendered less imminent on Saturday when the Giants selected Penn State tight end Theo Johnson — a very Waller-like-looking player — with the 107th overall pick in Round 4.

After the draft, Schoen was asked if the Johnson pick was in direct response to Waller’s situation.

“We had to take that into account for sure,” he said. “But you know, Theo was the top player on our board. I’m trying to think, if there were any of these guys that we took that weren’t the top player on the board at the time…last night we left, he was sticking out for us.  You always think when you come in the next morning, he’s going to go sooner and may not be there and we’re excited to get Theo.”

Johnson did not visit with the Giants during the pre-draft process but said it was “clear” that the Giants had an interest in him. The only association he had with the Giants before Saturday was an interaction with quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney at the Senior Bowl but admitted he had another tie to the club.

“Went to school and worked with Christian Daboll, Brian Daboll’s son, when he was at Penn State,” Johnson revealed. “So pretty early on, they showed a lot of interest and it was clear that this was definitely a potential landing spot for me.”

The 6-foot-6, 257-pound Johnson said he had not yet talked to the Giants about what role he might play. He was also asked if he had watched a lot of Waller, who he has been compared to in several scouting reports.

“I’ve definitely watched Darren Waller,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of respect for his game. You know, he’s someone that has really established himself in the league, and I’m really looking forward to being in the same room as him and just hearing his wisdom from what he’s been through, not only in his career and his life but I’m really looking forward to being his teammate.”

That last part may not come to pass. The Giants, of course, will want a decision from Waller at some point this spring so they can sort out their roster and finances.

Johnson, by continuing to develop, can help the Giants ease into what appears to be Waller’s almost certain departure. He can only look forward, though. And he’s ready to help the Giants in any way he can.

“I think I’m definitely capable of being a tight end that you can’t take off the field with all the attributes that I have and I’m going to work for that,” he said. “I know I have work to do and I’m going to do the work it’s going to take to be a George Kittle and be a guy that you just don’t want to take off the field because I can do every single thing you’re asking your tight end to do.”

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Giants’ Darren Waller, Kelsey Plum divorcing after one year

New York Giants star tight end Darren Waller, who has been away from the team while he contemplates retirement, is getting divorced after just one year of marriage from his wife, WNBA Star Kelsey Plum.

From People Magazine:

On April 23, Plum, 29, and Waller, 31, filed a joint petition for divorce in Clark County, Nevada, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Just after the filing, Plum shared a heartbreaking message on social media. “I’m devastated. I walked through fire for that man, but now I see it’s time to go,” she wrote on Instagram Stories.

“God has given me an incredible life, and I’m truly so grateful for the profound love from my family and friends,” the Las Vegas Aces star continued.

“One day I’ll share my story, today is not that day. Thank you for the grace to process my pain, to forgive and move forward. Today and everyday I will continue to choose joy. Much love KP.”

The Giants traded a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders last March in exchange for the former, oft-injured Pro Bowler. He played in 12 games, missing five due to a hamstring injury. Waller finished second on the team last season with 52 receptions for 552 yards but only managed one touchdown.

This offseason, Waller has been cagey about his football future and the Giants have been giving him enough room to make his decision.

“We’re giving Darren his space,” Giants general manager Joe Schoen told the media last week while stating there was ‘no deadline’ for a decision.

“We’ve had conversations with Drew Rosenhaus, his agent. He’s kept us in the loop on Darren. We’re giving him his space. Hopefully, he’s going to make a de in the short term, but we’re giving him time and space to make a decision on what he wants to do.”

The Giants would ideally like to know Waller’s fate before this week’s NFL draft so they can possibly use one of their six draft picks on a tight end. Schoen has added two veteran tight ends to the roster in Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll as insurance if Waller decides to pack it in.

In a recent interview with Forbes, Waller gave some insight into his current thought process.

“I’m at the point now where I’m like, ‘OK, how much am I willing to give to the process,’” said Waller. “If it’s not 100%, it’s a disservice to the teammates and the organization that I have. I’m still trying to make a decision on that and it’s tough to make one or the other out of emotion.”

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Giants haven’t given Darren Waller a deadline for retirement decision

The 2024 NFL draft is less than a week away and the New York Giants still don’t know what they’re going to have at the tight end position.

Veteran Darren Waller, who is skipping the team’s voluntary offseason workout program, has not yet decided his future and appears no closer to doing so. Despite that, the Giants have put no pressure on him to reach a conclusion.

“We’re giving Darren his space. We’ve had conversations with Drew Rosenhaus, his agent. He’s kept us in the loop on Darren. We’re giving him his space. Hopefully, he’s going to make a de in the short term, but we’re giving him time and space to make a decision on what he wants to do,” general manager Joe Schoen told reporters on Thursday.

“We haven’t given him a deadline.”

Waller recently revealed that he’s unsure if he can commit 100 percent to the game of football, which would seem to indicate that one foot is already out the door.

“I have to make a decision at some point,” Waller told The Athletic in early April. “You have to be 100 percent bought in, for the grind. And I have to make sure I am bringing that to the table, or it’s a disservice to the guys I am suiting up with.

“I also want to give the team time, where whichever way I go, they can prepare for next season. So … it’s a little bit of a difficult decision, but here we are.”

Although the Giants are being remarkably patient with Waller, who they acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders last year, it would benefit them to know his plans ahead of the draft.

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New York Giants keeping Darren Waller retirement discussion ‘in-house’

The 2024 NFL draft is two weeks away and the New York Giants are going through the motions to get ready. Day 1 of Phase One had a good turnout and there has been lots of quarterback discussion. But one thing that people are curious about is the status of tight end Darren Waller.

Earlier this year, Waller admitted that he wasn’t sure if he would retire or continue to play. The Giants have been pretty mum on the situation, which remains unchanged even today.

Daboll was asked if he expects Waller to attend any portion of the offseason program, but the Giants head coach didn’t have any answer for that and instead said he would keep things “in-house.”

“Understand the question, completely right, have nothing to add on that from what Joe talked about a couple of weeks ago in the ownership meeting. You know, again, I just go back to our attendance was, I was very happy and pleased with our attendance. In terms of Darren’s specific situation, I’m going to keep that in-house, I have nothing to add at this time.”

With New York last year, Waller had 52 receptions for 552 receiving yards, both ranking second on the team. He was a bright spot on an offense that was more than lackluster in 2023, so it stands to reason the Giants would love to have him back on the field.

But the Giants don’t make this decision, Waller does. So the rest of us just have to wait and see what happens when everyone is ready to talk about it.



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Giants’ Darren Waller may not decide future before 2024 NFL draft

If this were an installment of the “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise, the George Clooney character would be asking New York Giants tight end Darren Waller his signature question: Are you in, or are you out?

With the team beginning voluntary workouts next week, Waller, 31, is still undecided about whether he’ll continue his NFL career.

Last week in Las Vegas, however, Waller was seen working out and giving pointers to prospective draft picks at Las Vegas Sports Park with Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell.

Longtime Raiders beat reporter Vic Tafur, now of The Athletic, caught up with the former Raiders Pro Bowler, who has missed 19 games because of injuries the past three seasons. He asked if Waller would be returning to his current team, the Giants, or calling it a career.

“I have to make a decision at some point,” Waller said. “You have to be 100 percent bought in, for the grind. And I have to make sure I am bringing that to the table, or it’s a disservice to the guys I am suiting up with. I also want to give the team time, where whichever way I go, they can prepare for next season. So … it’s a little bit of a difficult decision, but here we are.”

The Giants are hoping to get an answer soon out of Waller. Before the NFL draft at the end of the month would be nice so the Giants can plan accordingly.

“That would be ideal, but I also don’t want to put that on myself,” he said. “It’s gotta be before summer break, for sure.”

The Giants have already backfilled their tight end room, adding Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz in free agency to go along with the returning Daniel Bellinger.

Waller stands to lose $200,000 by missing the Giants’ offseason program and $11.8 million if he decides to retire.

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Giants’ Darren Waller isn’t sure if he can commit 100% to the process

The New York Giants thought they were getting a solution to their tight end woes last March when they traded for Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowler Darren Waller.

The 6-foot-6 Waller had been one of the NFL’s top players at the position until a spate of injuries slowed him down. The Giants were hoping he’d regain his old form in 2023, but injuries once again punt a crimp in the plans.

This spring, Waller is still undecided if he’ll continue his NFL career. The Giants have been patient with him and are respecting his personal space, but may not wait too much longer.

“I talked to his agent,” general manager Joe Schoen said a few weeks ago. “Darren is going to take time and make his decision. He’s still undecided. I’m not going to get into the details. I’ve talked to him. He is undecided.”

In a recent interview with Forbes, the 31-year-old Waller gave some insight into his current thought process.

“I’m at the point now where I’m like, ‘OK, how much am I willing to give to the process,’” said Waller. “If it’s not 100%, it’s a disservice to the teammates and the organization that I have. I’m still trying to make a decision on that and it’s tough to make one or the other out of emotion.”

Waller was traded from Las Vegas to New York after signing a three-year, $51 million deal with the Raiders with the intention of staying in Sin City. Only two weeks prior to the trade, Waller had married Las Vegas Aces point guard Kelsey Plum.

“Being traded itself was not a surprise. Going to the Giants was a surprise. I had heard earlier in the season a couple of different times that I was being shopped around from my agent,” he said. “When I was traded, it wasn’t the trade itself, it was more so to the team. I had heard the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins and some other teams.”

Waller’s life has been uprooted and that, perhaps, along with the injuries has him second-guessing his future in New York.

“People don’t see a lot of the human element when it comes to moving across the country, finding somewhere to live, you don’t have any friends,” Waller said. “There’s a lot of things that help a human being thrive and those things get taken away from you. You have to rebuild and work through that adversity. Those are the kind of things that you have to roll with when you’re in this type of industry.”

But Waller may decide to stop the roll. If so, the Giants will be ready. They’ve been loading up their tight end room with veterans and could grab another in the 2024 NFL draft.

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