The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the headlines on Monday when they pulled off a massive three-player trade with the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers sent star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Miami in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
The Steelers appear to be going all in with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in hopes of winning a Super Bowl in 2025. However, the Dolphins were not to be outdone, and they surprised everyone with a trade of their own, as they needed to rebuild their roster.
Darren Waller Un-Retires, Traded to Dolphins for One-Year Comeback Deal
Tom Pelissero broke the news on X that the Dolphins are planning to trade with the New York Giants to replace Smith with Darren Waller.
“Surprise! The Dolphins are finalizing a trade with the Giants for former Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller, who is coming out of retirement to play in Miami, per sources,” wrote Pelissero in his post on Tuesday.
“A fascinating twist for Waller, who retired last summer, and a new weapon for a team that just traded Jonnu Smith.”
Waller spent eight years in the league (he was suspended for the entire 2017 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy) after being drafted in the sixth round in 2015 by the Baltimore Ravens. He played for Baltimore for two seasons, and then in late November of 2018, he was picked up off the Ravens’ practice squad by the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He spent just over four seasons with the Raiders before spending a single season with the Giants and deciding that was enough.
Surprise! The #Dolphins are finalizing a trade with the #Giants for former Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller, who is coming out of retirement to play in Miami, per sources.
A fascinating twist for Waller, who retired last summer, and a new weapon for a team that just traded Jonnu Smith. pic.twitter.com/MDO2XnHClb
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 1, 2025
Roughly 13 months ago, Waller announced he was retiring from the league. He later shared that the decision came in part because of a controversial no-call by the officials during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Waller said he was blocking in 2023 for then-Giants running back Saquon Barkley, trying to clear a running lane. He said that the coaching calls, to just run those same running plays over and over again, made him wonder what he was even doing in New York. He shared that his goal was never to be a fullback. He said he decided on the bench, during that game, that he would finish the season off strong, but then walk away from football.
During his eight seasons playing in the league, he was selected to the Pro Bowl once, in 2020. In that time, he amassed 350 receptions for 4,124 yards and 20 touchdowns.
According to Adam Schefter, the Giants will receive a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Waller and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Waller is signing a one-year deal with the Dolphins, hoping to fill the void left by Smith’s trade.