With Darren Waller set to return vs. Jets, the Dolphins’ offense is (almost) whole
Patience.
Who would want to come out of retirement just to not play?
That’s what Darren Waller described as his biggest lesson in the months since he landed in South Florida. It’s a lesson that he likely didn’t want to learn — yet one that certainly appears worthwhile.
“You’ve got to be the curator of your own thoughts and mental space in times like this,” Waller said, explaining it was important to keep himself “encouraged” amid his rehab. “When you’re out a little bit, you can kind of feel like you’re distant. That’s what I felt like the lessons that I’ve taken from this, just being patient at all times. Things aren’t always going to come when you expect them to, and I feel like humbling situations like this are good for me and anybody else in the league
After months of waiting, the Pro Bowl tight end will officially make his Miami Dolphins debut Monday against the New York Jets. This has been a long time coming — Waller sustained a hip injury during his first week off the physically unable to perform list after he already missed the entire training camp to be eased back into football shape – but his presence could hopefully boost an offense that has looked rather middling through the first three weeks.
“He looks ready, he feels ready,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “There’s going to be those game-day jitters that everyone loves as a player, and I’m sure he’ll be very fired up to get the first rep out of the way and so on and so forth. Looks good and excited to have him up.”
While the defense certainly deserves a lot of the blame for the 0-3 start, the offense has visibly taken a step back. The Dolphins currently average just less than 19 points and 192 passing yards per game. Those numbers rank 25th and 21st, respectively, highlighting a need for a better air attack.
“A guy that can line up in different spots and take advantage of whether it be the middle of the field, just running routes anywhere I’m comfortable in, because we’ve got guys that make things happen with the ball in their hands,” Waller said of what he will bring to the offense. “You put somebody else that has skills like that in the mix, it just makes it tougher for defenses to know where the ball is going or who is going to get an opportunity.”
The tight end position has been virtually nonexistent after the departure of Jonnu Smith, whom the Dolphins traded along with cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a pick swap. Through three games, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner have combined for 37 yards and four catches. This was drastically different from what Smith provided in 2024 when he rewrote the history books at the position, setting franchise highs for catches, yards receiving and touchdowns.
Waller, however, can’t be expected to replicate that sort of production — especially at age 33. The tight end will even start the season on a snap count as he suits up for the first time since January 2024.
“I don’t think you really go into it having a certain expectation of like, ‘It’s got to be this, so therefore,’ or ‘It’s been this, so therefore it needs to be this,’” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said. “I think it’s basically adding another guy with a skill set that’s going to be complementary to the offense and just being able to play within the plays.”
Still, the threat of 6-foot-6-inch tight end should help the Dolphins, particularly in the red zone.
“He has gigantic range and catch radius, and he’s a very big human being that moves really fast,” McDaniel said. “I think he has his own set of skill sets, but we all know of the name Darren Waller because he is unique in his skill set in general. I think he brings a dynamic participator in 11-on-11 football, and whether he has the ball or if he’s just on the field, I think defenses have to account for him.”
Regardless of what Waller can immediately provide, if he can replicate his 2023 season with the Giants — 52 catches, 552 yards and a touchdown — that should be considered a success. Again, the Dolphins just need the threat of big-time players to hopefully open up the offense for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
“Waller is special,” Waddle said. “He goes out there, and I’m just amazed at how big he is and can move like that, gets out of his routes real smooth like a big receiver out there. Go out there and jump and grabbing balls out of the air. He’s a tremendous talent, and I can’t wait for him to go out there and watch him perform.”
