It’s Darren Waller, not Michael Mayer who heads to South Beach
The Miami Dolphins’ search for a tight end this week, indeed, revolved around one with Las Vegas Raiders ties. It just wasn’t the one the focus was on.
To continue the Dolphins’ wild start to Fourth of July 4 week, NFL Media reported Tuesday morning that they traded for the retired Darren Waller, whose right were still retained by the New York Giants. New York gets a sixth-round pick next year.
The #Giants get a 2026 sixth-round pick from Miami for Darren Waller and a conditinal 2027 seventh-rounder, per source.
Essentially a free pick for New York for a player who was retired, and a low-risk flier for Miami on a player who at his peak was one of the NFL’s best. https://t.co/Z68wAtKvMO
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 1, 2025
Monday, the Dolphins made a huge trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers as part of it. It was immediately reported that Miami was calling around for veteran tight ends and it was reported the Dolphins had their eye on Raiders’ third-year tight end Michael Mayer.
There were reports earlier this offseason that the Raiders were open to dealing Mayer, who has struggled to produce in the NFL so far. Yet, he had a strong offseason and new Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll has been complimentary of Mayer. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Monday afternoon the team wasn’t interested in dealing Mayer.
So, Mayer stays in Las Vegas to team with second-year star Brock Bowers.
And it’s Waller who will try to make a comeback after retiring in 2024 after one season with the Giants. Las Vegas traded the Pro Bowl tight end for a third-round pick (It became wide receiver Tre Tucker) in 2023.
Waller, who turns 33 in Miami, became a star for the Raiders in 2019 (he was signed off Baltimore’s practice squad in 2018). However, injuries started to affect Waller in 2021 and he hasn’t played in more than 11 games since the 2020 season.
NFL Media reported Tuesday that Waller recently informed he wanted to return, but only with the Dolphins. Miami’s offensive coordinator is Frank Smith, who was Waller’s position coach with the Raiders.