Giants' Updated Depth Chart, Salary Cap After Darren Waller's NFL Retirement

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller has informed the team he plans to retire, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Sunday.

The Giants confirmed Waller's retirement, per Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.

With the move, the Giants gain $11,625,200 in cap space, per Over the Cap. That gives the Giants some much-needed breathing room for 2024, as Big Blue was listed with just $1,095,031 in cap space for this upcoming season entering Sunday.

With Waller being designated as a post-June 1 cut, the team would now have $12,720,231 in cap space.

Without Waller, the team has six tight ends, per Big Blue Interactive: Daniel Bellinger, Jack Stoll, Chris Manhertz, Theo Johnson, Lawrence Cager and Tyree Jackson. Bellinger, the team's fourth-round pick in 2022, figures to get the most work at the position now.

Bellinger was the team's top tight end in 2022, catching 30 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games, missing five due to an eye injury. He also was a great blocker, paving the way for Saquon Barkley to have a productive season (1,650 yards, 10 touchdowns).

Keep an eye on Johnson, though. The former Penn State Nittany Lion is a big and explosive target at 6'6" and 264 pounds. He caught 34 passes for 341 yards and seven touchdowns for PSU last season. Johnson could certainly get his fair share of reps at tight end with Waller now gone.

Otherwise, Cager saw some action last year, catching one touchdown pass. Stoll, a former Philadelphia Eagle, could be utilized in a blocking role.

Ultimately, Waller came to the Giants with great fanfare after Big Blue landed him via trade last year, but his time in town is one-and-done. Now the Giants move on to new players at tight end as the team looks to bounce back from a 6-11 campaign.