This week rumors have swirled following a report the Raiders and Packers discussed Darren Waller in a potential trade. Waller has said the Raiders assured him there would be no trade, which, according to the reports, would happen tonight during the draft’s first round. In terms of assurances from the Raiders, the underlying question is whether the team is actively working on giving the Pro Bowl tight end a new contract.
Waller has two years left on his contract but no guaranteed money. There isn’t a player out there who wants to play with no guaranteed money, and a player of Waller’s caliber absolutely shouldn’t be forced to do so. But just how to go about remedying that is the issue at hand.
Despite that lack of an acceptable contract situation, Waller was at the Raiders facility on the first day of offseason workouts even while some players in his situation might stay away.
This would sometimes suggest he was given assurances a new deal was forthcoming. I asked Waller today if this was the case and while he confirmed discussions were happening, he could not offer any timetable or even if a deal would be reached.
“Nothing as far as when it would come,” Waller said. “My agent is doing his job and they’re having discussions and whatever comes from that, comes from that. But I’m focused on learning a new system and trying to be a great teammate. Just playing football and being a part of and being around guys like this. It’s not something that’s going to be around a long time, so I just focus on that. Things like money and all that will take care of itself. I’m already blessed, so I’m grateful for where I’m at right now.”
This kind of perspective should come as no surprise to anyone who has heard him in the past. He has been through a lot in his life, especially in terms of overcoming a drug addiction that threatened his life, not to mention his NFL career. So, he takes nothing for granted.
“I don’t need to try to impose myself and make these things happen and demand those things to happen,” Waller said regarding his stance on his contract. “I feel like if I continue to show up and be the best version of myself on a day-to-day basis, stay present and just give everything I have to this team and to the city, and to wherever I’m at, I feel like things will work out in my favor, whether I want it to or not. I just try to focus on just being me.”
Waller is a unique guy to be certain. His high character is matched by his extreme talent. But they are not alone in recognizing that. His agent is going to make sure he is fairly compensated. Whether that’s a restructure, an extension, or…otherwise. At least they seem to be actively talking contract.
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