Not many NFL players have had the kind of up-and-down career that Darren Waller has.
The tight end, who spent four years at Georgia Tech as a wide receiver from 2011-14, overcame a slow start to his NFL career and a 2017 suspension by becoming one of the game's best weapons by 2019.
However, Waller's numbers tailed off for a few years while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders, and after a brief stint with the New York Giants, he decided to call it a career at 31 years old. That is, until 2025, when Waller came out of retirement to join the Miami Dolphins.
Here's a full breakdown of Waller's NFL career, from his early struggles in Baltimore and dominance with the Raiders, to his decision to un-retire in 2025.
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Darren Waller teams timeline
Baltimore Ravens
Waller, a native of Landover, Maryland, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was taken with the 204th overall pick in Round 6 following a trade. Still considered a wide receiver at the time, he joined a Ravens squad that still had Joe Flacco as QB1.
Waller inked a four-year, $2.39 million contract as a rookie, then competed for a roster spot as a backup receiver. In the 2015 season, Waller was the WR6 on the depth chart behind Steve Smith Sr., Kamar Aiken and more. However, he was placed on IR by late October.
John Harbaugh announced in March 2016 that Waller would be converting to tight end. But it would be quite a while until the Ravens could really get a feel for his talent; on July 1, 2016, the NFL announced that Waller had been suspended four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Waller did play in 12 games in 2016 following the suspension, posting 85 yards and two touchdowns as a backup option. But once again in June 2017, he was disciplined by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy, which came with a one-year suspension.
On Aug. 7, 2018, Waller was reinstated by the league after completing a rehabilitation program. He was named to Baltimore's practice squad, however, further delaying his first full-time shot in the NFL.
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Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders
In November of the 2018 NFL season, the Raiders signed Waller off the Ravens' practice squad. He joined the active roster, appearing in four games for the then-Oakland squad while recording 75 yards on six catches.
Then came a 2019 season that changed Waller's entire career trajectory. He was featured on "Hard Knocks" before the season, detailing his substance abuse issues and how he overcame them. By Week 3 of the campaign, Waller had just notched his first career 100-yard game, quickly becoming a centerpiece of the Raiders' offense. That led to a three-year contract extension he signed during the season.
Waller finished 2019 with 90 catches for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns, being named to the Pro Bowl. He followed it up with another outstanding 2020 season.
In Week 13 of the 2020 season, Waller totaled 200 receiving yards against the New York Jets, which was a new franchise record for a tight end. He finished 2020 with more career highs in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,196) and touchdowns (9), returning to the Pro Bowl.
However, Waller's numbers began to decline after 2020. He had a solid 2021, posting 665 receiving yards over 11 games. In September 2022, the Raiders signed him to another extension worth $51 million over three years, but his time in black and silver wouldn't last much longer.
Waller totaled 388 receiving yards over nine games in 2022, his lowest totals in four years, prompting the end of his time with the Raiders.
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New York Giants
On March 15, 2023, Waller was traded to the New York Giants or a compensatory 2023 third-round pick, which the Raiders later used to draft WR Tre Tucker.
While Waller did improve on his lackluster 2022 season by his standards, he still struggled to stay healthy and remain an elite tight end in New York. He had 552 receiving yards and one touchdown in 2023, appearing in 12 games.
Waller, somewhat surprisingly, decided to hang up his cleats after the 2023 season. He had reportedly been mulling his decision for months, but he then announced in June 2024 that he was retiring from the NFL at 31 years old.
"I've decided to retire from the game of football," Waller wrote on Instagram. "To God: what a journey, and thank you. We took it way farther than I ever could have imagined! So grateful for all the ppl I've been able to connect and create memories with along the way. We still got plenty more life left to live. Love you all. Peace."
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Miami Dolphins
Waller did not play during the entire 2024 NFL season, seemingly retired for good from football. But he decided to make a comeback attempt in 2025.
On July 1, 2025, the Dolphins acquired Waller and a 2027 conditional seventh-round draft pick for a 2026 sixth-round selection from the Giants. With that move, the tight end officially unretired, returning to the game to become a new weapon for Tua Tagovailoa and replacement for Jonnu Smith in Miami.
Waller did not play in 2025 until Week 4 as he ramped up to return to the field. But in his Dolphins debut, and first NFL game since January 2024 with the Giants, Waller put on a show.
He scored two touchdowns for the Dolphins against the New York Jets on "Monday Night Football," quickly emerging as a red zone threat for Tagovailoa.
TOUCHDOWN DARREN WALLER!
— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2025
NYJvsMIA on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/QcUnTnK9HP
Darren Waller has another touchdown!
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2025
NYJvsMIA on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/8BjLneLHIo
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Darren Waller career stats
Here's a look at Waller's numbers in the NFL.
| Season | Team | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | AVG | TDs |
| 2015 | Ravens | 6 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 |
| 2016 | Ravens | 12 | 10 | 85 | 8.5 | 2 |
| 2018 | Raiders | 4 | 6 | 75 | 12.5 | 0 |
| 2019 | Raiders | 16 | 90 | 1,145 | 12.7 | 3 |
| 2020 | Raiders | 16 | 107 | 1,196 | 11.2 | 9 |
| 2021 | Raiders | 11 | 55 | 665 | 12.1 | 2 |
| 2022 | Raiders | 9 | 28 | 388 | 13.9 | 3 |
| 2023 | Giants | 12 | 52 | 552 | 10.6 | 1 |
| 2025 | Dolphins | 1 | 3 | 27 | 9.0 | 2 |
| Career: | -- | 87 | 353 | 4,151 | 11.8 | 22 |
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Darren Waller wife
Waller has been in the spotlight even outside his NFL career, formerly being married to WNBA star Kelsey Plum. However, the two are no longer married.
The two athletes were married on March 4, 2023. They filed for divorce on April 23, 2024.
Waller has also embarked on a music career, dropping a song called "Who Knew" in 2024.
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