The Miami Dolphins traded their 2024 Pro Bowl tight end — Jonnu Smith — to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. One reason why the trade was palatable for the team was the fact that they then traded for recently retired, former second-team All-Pro tight end, Darren Waller, from the New York Giants.
Waller, who last played in 2023, sat out the entirety of the 2024 season, and most thought he was retired for good. That is, until the Dolphins dealt a 2026 6th-round draft pick for Waller and a conditional
2027 7th-round pick.
After sitting out a full season, there was definitely going to be a ramp-up period until Waller was in the shape required to play a National Football League game, however, the wait has been much longer than anticipated for all involved after the tight end missed the Dolphins’ first three games — all losses.
Speaking with reporters on Friday morning following Miami’s 31-21 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said the wait to see Waller suit up for the South Florida franchise is coming to a close.
With Waller expected to play on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets, what are you expectations for him in that game and for the rest of the season? Will giving quarterback Tua Tagovailoa another pass catching weapon finally allow the signal-caller the chance to get back to his winning ways of years past? Miami’s game on Monday, September 29th could provide some answers to those questions and more.
