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Darren Waller Defends Daniel Jones After Disappointing 2023 Season

Recently retired Giants tight end Darren Waller defended Daniel Jones, who was criticized for the team's performance last season.

By Nicholas Rome

Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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Aside from all of the moving parts surrounding the New York Giants' free agency, the biggest storyline of the offseason was tight end Darren Waller announcing his retirement. Last offseason, the Giants traded away the third round pick they acquired for Kadarius Toney to land Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders.

During training camp, expectations were through the roof as Waller was dominant and had an instant connection with Daniel Jones. The team underperformed expectations as Jones missed a majority of the season dealing with a neck injury and a torn ACL. Waller finished the season with 552 yards and a touchdown in only 12 games with the team.

When Waller retired, many speculated that the Giants' offensive struggles stemming from Jones may have been one of the reasons why he stepped away. Waller went on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast and defended his former quarterback.

"It was crazy because we were going into the season like man this might be special then it was like we couldn't really protect him. It's like you can't expect anybody to be successful with the pocket looking like it was last year on our team on a week in week out basis. Hoping that they can just give him a chance because right when he got his bag he was out there with no protection. I don't think he really got a fair show to improve upon his play so I'm hoping that he can get his chance."

- Darren Waller

It appears that Waller and general manager Joe Schoen are on the same page as Schoen said on Hard Knocks that the offensive line was his top priority.

The Giants May Be Heading Towards a Similar Fate

The biggest issue in 2023 was that the offensive line was constantly changing, as the team dealt with injuries up front all season.

Thus far in training camp, fans haven't been made to feel better as Evan Neal and John Michael Schmitz are dealing with injuries, giving the Giants' line less time to gel as a unit. When Neal does return, the Giants may have a dilemma on their hands as Jermaine Eluemunor should be the team's starting right tackle, but he'll likely kick back inside to guard.

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