Tag: Darren Waller contract

Raiders lock up TE Darren Waller with 3-year extension

Just before the start of the 2022 season, Darren Waller gets a three-year extension from the Raiders.

It took right up to the day before the start of the Raiders’ season, but they got it done. The team announced Saturday it has signed tight end Darren Waller to a three-year extension.

With two years left on his current deal, this extension will keep Waller in a Raiders uniform for the next five years.

The deal is worth $51 million over those three years according to NFL media’s Ian Rappoport.

The two sides had been negotiating for months. And two weeks ago, Waller switched up one of those sides; changing agents from Klutch Sports to Drew Rosenhaus.

The switch was the strongest indication yet Waller was serious about getting a long term deal that paid him closer to what he is worth as a top five tight end in the NFL.

Two season ago, Waller set a new franchise record with 107 catches in a season, breaking the long standing record of 104 catches in a season set by Tim Brown in 1997.

His second consecutive season with over 1100 yards along with his nine touchdowns earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl and placed him squarely among the likes of Travis Kelce and George Kittle among the NFL’s best.

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Raiders TE Darren Waller signs with new agent, returns to practice

Same day Darren Waller signs with new agent, returns to Raiders practice

There are coincidences. And then there’s those things that seem like too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence. Take the Darren Waller situation, for instance.

The Pro Bowl tight end has missed most of camp with what was being called a hamstring injury, according to reports. At least it was called that right about the time the media started to wonder if maybe he was not practicing because of his contract situation.

Waller has been looking for a new contract that would pay him closer to where he stands among NFL tight ends. To that end, he dropped his agent, Klutch Sports.

This morning Drew Rosenhaus announced he had a new client.

A couple hours later, Josh McDaniels was asked if he expected Darren Waller back soon and McDaniels — rather uncharacteristically — said Waller would be on the field for today’s practice.

“Darren’s good. Darren’s good to go,” said McDaniels. “So, you’ll see him today. I don’t really know about that whole (agent/contract) situation yet. But he’ll be out there today.”

Waller was indeed on the field with his teammates according to multiple accounts, suggesting just what McDaniels said; that he’s “good to go” as the team prepares for the season opener.

Whether that’s a healing situation or a contract confidence situation is up to interpretation. But I’d expect reports of a new deal will be forthcoming.

Raiders TE Darren Waller says new contract or not ‘I’m here, I’m playing’

Darren Waller on contract situation: ‘Whatever the outcome… I’m here, I’m playing’

A report came out earlier this week, just as the Raiders were to report for camp, that Darren Waller and Denzel Perryman were both looking for new contracts. Perryman looking for a new deal was news, but we’ve known for some time that Waller was due for a new contract.

Both players still reported to camp with their teammates after not having missed any practices in OTA’s and minicamp either. Both preferring to take the hands off approach and put their faith in their agents to get a deal done.

The question is if they will always be ok, or if at some point they would push the issue. According to Darren Waller, he’s here regardless of whether he gets a new contract or not.

Waller has several times given the stock answer that his agent is handling the contract situation and he’s focused on football. This time, however, he added “Whatever the outcome is of that I’m here, I’m playing.”

Waller has two years left on his current deal, but he’s considerably underpaid for his talent level. His $7.5 million per season is currently 17th at his position. For a guy who is easily top five, if not top three.

As usual, Waller has his unique and refreshing perspective on it all.

“As a human being, you want to think about things like that,” Waller said of the potential distraction of his contract situation. “But for me adopting the mindset of ‘when I’m here, what can I give to the team?’, as opposed to what I can get. If I give enough, I feel like when my time comes to an end on earth, I feel like people are going to remember me for the impact I had on people or things I was able to do for the world for people, so I try to take that attitude into the smallest details and parts of my day. Because you know we can get distracted, but I feel like taking that approach has definitely helped me to focus in on what I can do in the day here and it keeps it simple and keeps it fun.”

Waller’s integrity on this situation should make him more attractive as a player and teammate. And rather than take advantage of it, the Raiders should reward it.

With two years on this deal, an extension to keep him here for the next three years, making something closer to what he’s worth would be a no brainer at this point.

Josh McDaniels knows how to use a tight end in his offense and Waller can execute it while being a mismatch to any linebacker and most safeties as well.

Darren Waller confirms contract discussions occurring with Raiders but unsure of outcome

Darren Waller isn’t sure if a new deal with Raiders will happen soon, but confirms contract discussions are occurring

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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