It took until the final day before the Raiders’ regular season kicks off, but the team’s star players are all under contract after tight end Darren Waller signed a new deal on Saturday.
The Raiders’ official Twitter account captured the moment when Waller signed on the dotted line, providing a video of Waller expressing his love for the team, the city of Las Vegas, and the Raiders fan base.
Official, @Rackkwall83 đź“ť pic.twitter.com/0R9cswoU5x
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 10, 2022
“Grateful to be here, grateful to be a part of this team, organization, for a long time to come,” Waller said in the Raiders’ video. “Raider Nation, I’m going to be here a lot longer. Y’all stuck with me for a few years now. I’m excited to be here. I love the city. Love the fanbase. Love the team. (I’ll) always give everything I’ve got. Try to be the best version of me I can every day, not only for myself but for all of you.”
Waller also acknowledged the ups and downs in his career thus far, alluding to his well-publicized battle with addiction. To put an exclamation point on that sentiment, Waller wore a Sprouts Farmers Market shirt as he signed his deal. That’s where he worked when he was suspended from the NFL.
This moment is even cooler when you realize he’s wearing a Sprouts Farmers Market shirt – which is where he worked stocking produce post rehab during the year he was suspended from the NFL. https://t.co/c6zOScely8
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) September 10, 2022
Of course, Waller’s been on an upward trend during his career with the Raiders, and his new contract is the latest boost to his legacy in Las Vegas. The deal is worth a guaranteed $19.25 million, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, amounting to a $10 million raise for Waller over the next two years.
It’s a roughly $10M raise over two years for Waller, whose old deal had two years left. In exchange, the #Raiders lock up his prime on what amounts to a series of team options through 2026.
He can also earn a $250,000 Pro Bowl incentive each year.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 10, 2022
The Raiders’ new regime, led by coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, had already spent big money on new contracts this offseason, and though it took longer to get Waller’s deal done, Las Vegas would have been silly to not come to an agreement with one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
Now that the deal is done, all that’s left to do is dominate on the gridiron. Quarterback Derek Carr and a bevy of skill players, including Waller and wide receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, will lead the way, as they all look to solidify their position in Las Vegas by building on last season’s playoff appearance.