Darren Waller praises New York Giants after being traded: 'They value our opinions here'
Darren Waller is feeling at home as a member of the New York Giants. The 2020 Pro Bowl tight end moved east this offseason when he was abruptly traded from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Now, he joins head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Daniel Jones on a team that just made its first trip to the playoffs since 2016.
Waller spoke to the media on Thursday during OTAs and said he appreciated the camaraderie that the Giants encouraged.
"They value our opinions here and you know, as a player, I feel like a lot of places I've gone, you're told to do things a certain way and you do those things," he said. "But here, it's like they ask a lot of questions, they want to know what you're thinking, why, what do you like to do more. So to offer input's a really cool thing because coaches and players gotta be in partnership. We're all together. It shouldn't be clashing with each other. We're all going the same direction."
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With the Raiders, Waller was productive when healthy with 3,469 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in five seasons. Waller also spent two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him out of Georgia Tech in 2015.
Darren Waller on chemistry with Daniel Jones
Waller seemed lighthearted and was smiling and using the word "fun" to describe his experience with his new team.
"It's not a lot of people that get to say that they can play football in a market like this, in a city like this with people as passionate as its fanbase is," he said. "So it's all about your perspective whether you look at it as it's scary or you look at it as this is a really cool opportunity. So I view it as a great opportunity."
He said he's clicked naturally with Jones as they have similar personalities and senses of humor. He's "very impressed" with the quarterback, who is entering his fifth season and has started since he was a rookie.
"He's a smart guy, he's funny, he's driven," Waller said. "He's one of the hardest workers as far as like coming early for preparation and staying after for recovery and doing what he needs to do, having a routine, having a plan. I feel like that sets the tone when you know, like, ok, this guy that's stepping in the huddle, telling us what we need to do, where we need to go, he's really out here putting all the work in and then some. And he also wants you to have a good time while you do it."
For Jones, the feeling was mutual and he shared the same sentiments to describe the relationship.
"He's just an impressive athlete. He's just been locked in. You can tell it's important to him," Jones said. "He's put a lot of effort into learning stuff and getting caught up. It's been fun working with him."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Darren Waller appreciates Giants culture: 'They value our opinions'
