'This isn't just about football': Darren Waller's retirement decision nears likely end

Darren Waller's layered decision as to whether he will retire from the NFL after seven years in the league - just one of those with the New York Giants - has more to do with commitment to the sport than it does his ability to still play.

“This isn’t just about football,” Waller told NorthJersey.com via phone in an April 26 interview following an appearance as a mental health awareness ambassador for Hackensack Meridien Health. “This really has nothing to do with this football team, the roster, who plays quarterback or anything that happened last season. It's personal, and I’m doing my best to make sure it’s not an emotional decision."

Waller has been contemplating retirement for months, and the Giants have done what they can publicly and privately to give him the necessary space to make that call without pressure from team brass. The 31-year-old former Pro Bowler has promised a resolution is coming soon, and as indicated on the latest episode of the "All In with Art Stapleton" podcast, there is an expectation that will happen by next week's mandatory minicamp.

Waller has not attended the Giants' voluntary offseason program to this point, and he has not expressed a desire to do so with the team entering its final week of OTA (organized team activities) practices. The expectations change for players at minicamp, which for the Giants will be Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Attendance is mandatory, and it's believed Waller will make a final call by then.

"We're giving Darren his space," Giants general manager Joe Schoen said in April, with coach Brian Daboll echoing that sentiment as recently as last week. "We’ve had conversations with Drew Rosenhaus, his agent. He's kept us in the loop on Darren. We're giving him his space. Hopefully he's going to make a de in the short term, but we're giving him time and space to make a decision on what he wants to do."

The calendar matters with regard to salary cap ramifications for the Giants, who would gain nearly $12 million in space post-June 1 available immediately if Waller were to retire, or if they decided to release him. There would be a dead money charges of $2.458 million in 2024.

The Giants have been operating as if Waller was not part of the mix at tight end, and if he decided to come back, they would seemingly give him the opportunity to again earn a spot at the top of the depth chart. They have Daniel Bellinger, who was the starter as a rookie and complemented Waller last season.

The Giants also drafted Theo Johnson in the fourth round and have lofty aspirations for the skill set of the former Penn State standout. They signed veterans Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll in free agency, and both Lawrence Cager and Tyree Jackson have returned in a deep position group.

Waller caught 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown last season, missing five games with a hamstring injury.

"I’m at the point now where it's about how much am I willing to give to the process," Waller said in the past interview. "And if it’s not 100%, it’s a disservice to my teammates and the organization. I’m not going to do that to the Giants, and I’m trying to be as honest as I can and make the right decision that is true to me as a human being, not just a football player.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Darren Waller: NY Giants TE retirement uncertainty nears likely end