Less than two years after signing a record-breaking contract, Darren Waller, the former star tight end of the Las Vegas Raiders, has officially retired from football. Waller's retirement comes after a series of disappointments following his mega-deal, leaving fans and analysts questioning the effectiveness of the contract.

In 2022, the Green Bay Packers had come close to acquiring Waller in a potential trade involving All-Pro receiver Davante Adams. The Packers had accepted a trade offer that would have sent a first-round pick and Waller to Green Bay in exchange for Adams. However, the league office intervened, stating that a franchise-tagged player like Adams could not be traded for another player, only for draft picks.

As a result, Waller was replaced by a second-round draft choice in the trade, and Adams officially became a Raider. Despite this setback, the Packers reportedly continued their pursuit of Waller, indicating their interest in the talented tight end.

In the offseason before the 2022 season, Waller signed a three-year, $51 million extension with the Raiders, making him the highest-paid tight end in football in terms of per-year average. However, his performance fell short of expectations, registering only 28 catches, 388 yards, and three touchdowns during his time with the Raiders.

Waller's tenure with the Raiders was marred by injuries, as he missed a total of eight games in 2022 and five games in 2023 due to hamstring issues. It seems that Waller was unable to live up to the expectations placed upon him after securing his lucrative contract.

The disappointing post-contract performance ultimately led to Waller's decision to retire from the NFL. The announcement was made official through a social media post, where Waller expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play professional football.

Fans may have been initially frustrated that the Packers were unable to secure Waller in the trade involving Adams. However, in hindsight, it appears that the Packers dodged a bullet. The pick that the Raiders used in place of Waller ultimately became part of a trade-up to acquire Christian Watson. While Watson has also dealt with his share of hamstring injuries, he has managed to surpass 1,000 receiving yards over the past two seasons, making him a valuable asset to the Packers.

Darren Waller's retirement serves as a reminder that not all trades and contract signings lead to success on the field. The decision to secure players should be carefully considered to ensure that teams are making the right investments. In this case, the Packers have potentially benefitted from missing out on Waller and finding success in another player.