Giants Trade Retired Darren Waller to Dolphins for 2026 Pick

The New York Giants surprised the NFL community by trading retired tight end Darren Waller to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. Waller, who retired after the 2023 season to pursue a music career, is now coming out of retirement to sign a one-year $5 million deal with Miami, motivated by his love for the game. The Dolphins, having recently traded tight end Jonnu Smith, see potential value in Waller's talent despite his time away from football. Waller was once a dominant tight end, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2020 with nearly 1,200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, but injuries and personal decisions limited his recent impact. Meanwhile, the Giants, under GM Joe Schoen, are leveraging Waller's contract creatively to gain draft capital while also facing a potential decision regarding edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, whose future with the team is uncertain following the drafting of Abdul Carter. ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz suggested the Giants might trade Thibodeaux to bolster their draft assets for building around young offensive talent.