Sources - Giants expecting TE Darren Waller to retire - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants tight end Darren Waller is likely to make a decision by next week's mandatory minicamp about his playing future and people in and around the team expect that he's going to retire, multiple sources told ESPN. Those close to him believe he's leaning in that direction.

Waller said during an Instagram Live on Friday that was a decision was coming very soon. He has been contemplating retirement since the end of last season and hasn't attended any of the team's voluntary offseason workouts this spring.

Mandatory minicamp for the Giants is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

The Giants have been operating throughout the offseason, partly out of necessity, as if Waller will retire. New York added at tight end in free agency and the draft, which included the selection of Penn State's Theo Johnson in the fourth round. Johnson, who has elite pass-catching traits, has even taken some first-team snaps this spring with Waller skipping the voluntary workouts.

The Giants also signed veteran tight ends Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz to add to their tight end room of Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager and Tyree Jackson.

It would be a pleasant surprise to the Giants at this point if Waller decides to return for a 10th professional season. He has been busy working on his music — a new song was released last week — and admitted in an interview with The Athletic he was questioning his «commitment level» to football. That is rarely a positive sign.

Waller has also spoken recently about the importance of prioritizing mental health. He has been a mental health advocate in recent years after struggling with substance-abuse early in his career. Waller and Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum filed for