Giants GM Joe Schoen reflects on the process of acquiring Darren Waller
One of the more underrated moves of the NFL offseason was Darren Waller being traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Giants.
Second-year Giants GM Joe Schoen decided to trade a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, pick No. 100, in exchange for the star tight end. Joining The Rich Eisen Show on Monday, Schoen explained what went into that decision.
“It was probably early March,” Schoen harkened back. “Had a talk with Dave Ziegler, the GM of the Raiders, and we kind of talked through some guys that may be available. I asked about him, and he said, ‘I might listen,’ and we continued to communicate, up until the trade was consummated. Yeah, he was a guy that — getting that position, he’s talented, he’s almost a unicorn, in terms of his size, his athleticism. You know, he’d be one of the best receivers on a lot of teams. So yeah, good addition for us.
“He’s been an outstanding person, worker, leader out there, and he’s strung together some pretty good days for us at camp so far.”
While many didn’t expect it, Waller wasn’t shocked to be traded away from the Raiders, he just didn’t expect to go to the Giants.
“Not totally shocked,” Waller said, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I had heard some things. There were different moments throughout the year that I heard I may be traded, or I may not. So the actual event of it wasn’t too shocking. But I didn’t expect it to be the Giants.”
Nevertheless, Schoen couldn’t be happier with how Waller’s been fitting in for the franchise, elaborating on how the star tight end how worked out in preparation for the 2023 season.
“He’s still trying to pick up the offense and blend in with the group, so we’re going day by day, and still figuring out what his strengths are, and how we want to utilize him,” added Schoen. “But again, I expect him to be a big part of the offense. However the coaches decide to utilize him.
“Again, he’s shown some really good flashes out there. I’m excited to see him once we get into the regular season.”
In 2022, Waller caught just 28 passes for 388 yards with three touchdowns for the Raiders, but at just 30 years old, there’s definitely still time for Waller to return to his peak form from 2020 in New York.
Joe Schoen is betting on it, and we’re not betting against Darren Waller. The Giants could be looking at an absolute steal in one of the off-season’s most underrated moves.