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The Las Vegas Raiders have traded star tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants earlier this offseason. The reason behind this unexpected trade has now been revealed.
Pro Football Network Insider Adam Caplan has shed light on the Raiders’ decision, stating that the team has grown concerned about Waller’s recurring injury issues over the past two seasons. Since 2021, the 30-year-old tight end has missed a total of 14 games.
Waller’s injury troubles began two years ago when he struggled with an ankle injury during the preseason, which he then aggravated during the regular season. In November 2021, he suffered an IT band strain that kept him sidelined until January.
The Giants acquired TE Darren Waller from the Raiders in exchange for the 100th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, a pick they acquired from the Chiefs in the Kadarius Toney trade.
Waller rose to prominence as a star player for the Raiders, delivering back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020. However, his recent seasons have been marred by injuries, limiting him to 20 games where he amassed 83 receptions, 1,053 yards, and five touchdowns.
Despite his injury struggles, Waller remains one of the league’s premier receiving tight ends when healthy.
According to Caplan, the Raiders did not have any off-field concerns regarding Waller. Instead, a source familiar with pro personnel decisions revealed that teams often prefer to part ways with players a year too early rather than risk keeping them for a year too late.
The trade to the Giants marks a new chapter for Waller, and it remains to be seen how he will fare with his new team.