Our look at the Miami Dolphins’ 2026 plans, specifically their plans for their soon-to-be free agents, continues on Monday with our first look at a player from the offense. Miami has 35 players slotted to hit free agency when the new league year begins on March 13, not including any players released for salary cap reasons. Each year, we work through the team’s players with contracts set to expire, breaking down their contributions from the last season, how they could fit with the team in the upcoming season, and what we think Miami should do with the player.
We started this year’s version of the series with cornerback Kader Kohou, followed by linebacker Quinton Bell. We move over to the offense for the first time, taking a look at tight end Darren Waller, who joined the Dolphins after a year in retirement. When he was on the field, Waller was an impactful weapon on the offense. Injuries, however, kept that impact from being a season-long event.
I have included an embed from X, giving you a chance to vote on what you think the Dolphins should do. Feel free to also head into the comments to discuss Miami’s options with Waller.
Previous player reviews
Biography
Darren Waller
Position: Tight end
Age (when season begins): 33
College: Georgia Tech
Draft: 2015 6th Round (Baltimore Ravens)
Experience: 10 years
Previous Teams:
- Baltimore Ravens (2015-2018)
- Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (2018-2022)
- New York Giants 2023
- Miami Dolphins (2025)
Pro Bowl, All-Pro, Awards: Pro Bowl (2020)
Expiring Contract
1 year, $2 million
2025 Review
Waller retired ahead of the 2024 season, then decided he wanted to return and play for the Dolphins in 2025. Miami traded a 2026 sixth-round pick to the New York Giants for Waller and a 2027 conditional seventh-round pick. Waller then signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Dolphins. He started training camp on the physically unable to perform list, then sustained a hip injury as the season began. He also had a groin injury late in the year that landed him on injured reserve. He played in nine games, starting three times, for the Dolphins, catching 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns. He was a key redzone target for Miami’s offense, something they had been missing with most of their receiving threats being smaller, faster players. Waller was an impact player early in the season, but his production declined as the year progressed and injuries limited his playing time.
After the season, Waller was in his exit interview with head coach Mike McDaniel when Dolphins owner Stephen Ross came to the office. Waller left, and Ross then fired McDaniel. McDaniel had told Waller he wanted him back for the 2026 season before the coach was relieved of his duties.
2026 Outlook
The Dolphins offense is going to undergo a massive transformation this year, with wide receiver Tyreek Hill already released and the team looking to fix whatever went horribly wrong over the past two seasons – with Miami moving from the top offense in 2023 to an out-of-sync, broken offense by 2025. That change should include adding bigger targets for the offense, and Waller could still fit into that scheme. He has not decided if he is going to play in 2026, but he has seemed like he would be open to a return to Miami, though how everything pieces together under new head coach Jeff Hafley is still to be seen. If Waller were to return, the Dolphins would likely need to use him as a possession receiver and red-zone target, not an every-down tight end.
Walk, Tag, or Re-Sign?
Projected franchise tag (linebacker): $16.3 million (via OverTheCap.com)
Walk. The Dolphins are clearly rebuilding and they are looking to draft younger players they can build around for the future. Waller’s age put him on the wrong side of what Miami wants to do this offseason. He is likely still a relatively cheap option if they were to bring him back, but it seems more likely they will let him leave if he does not choose to retire again.
What do you think Miami should do? Vote here and head to the comments to discuss: