The New York Giants are looking for redemption. After their breakout 2022 campaign, they were hoping to build off of that in the following year. However, injuries and what looks to be regression from the team led them back to where they started: missing the playoffs with a terrible record.

Now, the Giants are bracing for one of their players to leave before the season starts. Darren Waller, the veteran tight end of the team, is set to make his retirement announcement soon, ESPN reports. New York is reportedly getting ready for Waller to make his announcement before their mandatory minicamp starts next week.

“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, 31, 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.”

Waller was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015. After three years of underwhelming play, Waller was traded to the then Oakland Raiders. There, the tight end experienced the best years of his career. Waller earned Comeback Player of the Year in 2019 in his second season in Oakland and earned Pro Bowl honors the year prior. Injuries were an issue later on, but he performed well enough for the Giants to pick him up in 2023.

Unfortunately, injuries continued to be a problem for Waller in the last few years. The Giants tight end has also openly contemplated retirement in the last month or so. While it would be a nice surprise from Waller to return, New York is expecting the TE to hang up his cleats instead.

Giants' outlook for 2024 season

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The Giants' 2023 season exposed a lot of the flaws of the team from the 2022 season. They were able to get by the year prior with efficient runs from Saquon Barkley and a solid aerial attack. That being said, their passing game is still underwhelming. Daniel Jones is a fine quarterback, but he's prone to mental mistakes and is best suited as a game manager.

In addition, the Giants lacked a true wide receiver… or a number one pass catching option in general. Waller was solid when he was healthy, but he could not be relied on to be the number one guy. Their wide receiver room was dismal. Darius Slayton was a nice revelation, but Jalin Hyatt struggled in his first year in the league. The injury to Jones and his replacement Tommy DeVito didn't help, either.

New York beefed up their attack by drafting another star wide receiver in Malik Nabers. In addition, they drafted Penn State TE Theo Johnson in the fourth round to potentially replace Waller. Can the Giants return to their 2022 form and surprise the NFL world again?