With just nine games under his belt with the Raiders, Darren Waller has been locked up on a multi-year extension, the team officially announced Wednesday. The deal will reportedly keep Waller in Silver & Black until 2023.
Waller was under contract through 2020, making this a 3-year extension. The deal will pay him $9 million per season according to ESPN’s Tom Pelissero.
Unique deal for Waller, who is expected to get around $9 million a year on what will essentially be a three-year extension after the would-be RFA year. Security now as Waller’s remarkable comeback continues. https://t.co/5LFA7jgU0q
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 17, 2019
The 4th year NFL tight end was signed off the Ravens’ practice squad late last season and quickly became the future at tight end for the team which made the decision to let Jared Cook leave in free agency.
Through five games this season, Waller has started every game and leads the team with 37 catches for 359 yards. His 37 catches is 10th most in the league and his yards total is good for sixth in the league among tight ends.
He has lived up to all of Jon Gruden’s hopes for him when he was brought in last season.
Waller struggled with substance abuse his first few years in the league which led to several suspensions including the entire 2017 season. He has shown to have put those issues behind him and is proving his immense on-field talent.
