The saga surrounding New York Giants tight end Darren Waller seems to be coming to a close.
With mandatory minicamp arriving next week, the team reportedly expects Waller to retire from the NFL leading up to the final part of the offseason workout program.
While no official retirement announcement has been made, the Giants have been conducting themselves this offseason as if they will be without Waller in 2024.
They signed veterans Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz in free agency earlier this offseason, and they selected a high-upside prospect in Theo Johnson during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Waller's retirement, or if the Giants wind up releasing him, would save the team $11.6 million in salary-cap space. It's unlikely they would make a splash in free agency to find a replacement, but they could take a quick look.
Here are the top available tight ends in free agency for the Giants:
NFL Free Agency: Tight ends available for New York Giants
- Logan Thomas
- Blake Bell
- Shane Zylstra
- Jimmy Graham
- Marcedes Lewis
- Trevon Wesco
- Geoff Swaim
- Brycen Hopkins
It's not exactly the most exciting list. Even with the money the Giants would save with Waller's departure, it's difficult to imagine they would be in on many of these options.
Maybe they bring in Thomas on a cheap veteran deal. He's been the best of the group as a receiving option, but he's also been very injury prone throughout his career.
It's more likely the Giants keep the extra salary-cap space to roll into the regular season while leaning on the combination of Johnson, Daniel Bellinger and the rest of the room.
For more Giants coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
