Raiders’ Waller signs with new agents in search of new deal

By JOSH DUBOW
AP Pro Football Writer

Las Vegas Raiders star tight end Darren Waller has hired new agents as he hopes to get a new contract before the start of the season.

Waller cut ties with Klutch Sports last week after less than a year with that agency and signed Wednesday with Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.

“I plan on going to work on this right away,” Rosenhaus said in a text message about getting Waller a new contract.

Waller has two years remaining on the contract he signed during the 2019 season. He is owed just less than $14 million in those years with no guaranteed money and is seeking a new deal that reflects his production.

According to the website Over The Cap, Waller’s average annual salary ranks 17th among all tight ends in the NFL.

Since becoming a starter in 2019, Waller ranks second in the NFL among all tight ends with 252 catches for 3,006 yards, trailing only Kansas City’s Travis Kelce in both categories. He is also tied for fifth with 14 TD catches the past three years.

Waller, who turns 30 on Sept. 13, played 11 games last season when he was hampered by ankle and knee injuries. He had 55 catches for 665 yards and two TDs.

The Raiders are counting on Waller to be part of a dynamic passing attack for quarterback Derek Carr that includes All-Pro receiver Davante Adams and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow.

Waller has missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury. He returned to practice once on Aug. 17, but was sidelined again since then before returning to practice on Wednesday.

The Raiders open the season on Sept. 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

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