Darren Waller had just returned home a day earlier from his honeymoon with Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum when his phone rang.
Still enjoying his newly married life, Waller was dealt a surprise. The Las Vegas Raiders called to inform him that he had been traded to the New York Giants. Shortly thereafter, he was contacted by Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
It was a FaceTime, as Daboll desires. And for Waller, his entire world had turned upside down.
New Giants TE Darren Waller found out about being traded from Las Vegas day after returning from honeymoon. “Caught me off guard,” he said.
Waller looks at Brian Daboll’s offense as high-octane version he saw in Buffalo, where they would sling it around yard no matter conditions
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 15, 2023
Not addressed by Waller on Wednesday afternoon during his introductory Zoom call was what would have led to the trade. However, a day earlier, the new bride offered her own speculation.
Prolly cause he wasn’t invited to the wedding lol https://t.co/K3i7oW5oe4
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) March 15, 2023
Waller admitted the trade was a “curveball” as it related to his fresh nuptials, but credited his wife for being understanding and accepting the unpredictable nature of business in the NFL.
#Giants #Waller – the trade was a bit of curveball, coming right after he got married….but his wife is supportive….grateful she understands how the industry works
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) March 15, 2023
With a partial focus now on acclimating to life in East Rutherford, Waller praised several of his new teammates for their “humility.” He also offered praise for Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, saying that he’d do whatever was asked of him in their “high-octane” offense.
Waller also recognized there would be questions about his health, but said he still wholeheartedly believes in himself and would avoid overworking himself this offseason, which he implied was the reason for his recent injury history.
Darren Waller on meeting some of his new teammates today: “They just radiate with humility.”
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) March 15, 2023
Darren Waller acknowledged the “legitimate concerns” regarding the injuries that have slowed him the past two seasons. He has changed his offseason approach and believes he had gotten to a point where he worked too hard too fast and peaked too soon heading into the season.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 15, 2023
Waller—”Whatever is asked of me to do I will do.”
— The Giant Insider Newspaper & Podcast (@GiantInsider) March 15, 2023
Asked about a possible contract restructure, Waller said the Giants had not approached him about that.
