When a player comes out of retirement, it’s not often they’re able to regain their old form at first, or at all. Yet, after spending a year away from the game, Darren Waller was able to showcase why he was one of the game’s most dynamic playmakers between 2019 and 2020. Despite his surprising productivity, the former Pro Bowler remains unsigned into late June, but why?
A Look at Why Darren Waller Is Still a Free Agent
At age 33, coupled with overall inconsistent play since 2021, teams may find it hard to convince themselves to bring the veteran into their organization. Regardless, he was productive for moments in 2025. Between Weeks 4 and 6, Waller put up 117 yards and 4 touchdowns, finishing the season with 283 yards and 6 touchdowns overall.
He’s likely considered a win-now player due to his age, and many teams in the contender category have the position largely figured out, including the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs, among others.
It wouldn’t make much sense for teams without true championship aspirations to bring him in either, as they likely already have at least one young player they’re trying to develop at that position. If they bring Waller in, it gives the younger guys a lesser chance to grow.
Since nearly every TE1 spot is locked in across the league, Waller would likely be viewed as a backup, especially with his lack of availability. This past season, he missed a total of 8 games with multiple injuries.
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This would diminish his value, as TE2s are often expected to contribute in multiple facets of the game. As they’re given fewer receiving opportunities, they’re used more often as a blocker, a part of the game that has never been Waller’s strength.
He’s much more of a “move” tight end, relying on his athleticism and overall receiver background to make an impact on the game.
That was evident in his athletic prime, which arrived two years after he left the Baltimore Ravens. Following a stint in rehab for substance abuse, Waller turned his life around and eventually found himself on the Raiders, where, between 2019 in Oakland and 2020 in Las Vegas, he combined for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns.
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During that period, he was widely seen as the second-best tight end in the league behind Travis Kelce, earning 93.9 and 92.7 grades in 2019 and 2020, respectively, according to PFSN’s TE Impact Metric.
While Waller was able to turn back the clock to that time period last season, he still faces an uphill climb to make it back to a roster in 2026.
