Darren Waller is set to make his Miami Dolphins debut on Monday night against the New York Jets. It will be Wallers first game since the 2023 season, after he retired and then came out of retirement to join Miami this season.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel met with the media on Saturday morning and talked about Waller’s return to football.
“He looks ready, he feels ready,” McDaniel said. “There’s going to be those game day jitters that everyone loves as a player. I’m sure he’ll be very fired up to get the first rep out of the way. Excited to have him up.
McDaniel also recognizes that Waller is coming off of an injury in addition to his time in retirement, meaning Monday night will be all about getting him re-acclimated to game speed.
“He looks firmly ready to contribute, which is why he’s going to play in the game,” McDaniel said. “How comfortable does he feel? If you ask him in the first quarter it’ll probably be different in the third… that game process always feels new every season.”
Waller’s Return To The NFL
Waller hasn’t played in the NFL since 2023, his one and only season with the New York Giants. Waller registered 52 catches for 552 yards in 12 games, grabbing one touchdown. At the conclusion of the season with New York, Waller decided to retire (also known as the New York Giants effect).
He then signed on as a free agent with Miami after a year out of the NFL. His contract is for just one season at $2 million.
The addition of Waller into the Dolphins offense can really only help, as Miami’s tight ends Tanner Conner and Julian Hill have combined for just four receptions through three weeks. Waller could be the tight end addition that the Miami offense has been missing to add a fresher dynamic.
AFC East Battle Between Dolphins and Jets on Monday Night Football
The two bottom feeders in the AFC East will face off in Miami on Monday night, both searching for their first win of the season.
In addition to Waller’s insertion into the lineup, second-string running back Ollie Gordon II emerged as a strong option for the Dolphins offense in their week three loss to the Buffalo Bills. McDaniel talked earlier this week about the rookie’s progress through training camp and the first few weeks of the season. Gordon projects to have a much larger role this week in tandem with De’Von Achane in the backfield.
Will that be enough for the Miami offense to overcome their struggles against a bad Jets defense? Maybe not entirely. But a fresh dynamic is exactly what the Dolphins need right now after so much turmoil through three weeks.
They’ll also need more explosive plays from wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who have been good through three weeks, but have lacked when it comes to the deep ball.
Miami is favored by two and a half points on Monday night, though the home teams in the NFL typically get three points, effectively making this a pick ’em game for any readers looking to throw some money down.
Mike McDaniel Drops Strong Statement on Darren Waller Before Dolphins Debut