Raiders Re-Sign TE Darren Waller to Multi-Year Contract Extension

The Oakland Raiders have rewarded arguably their most consistent performer on offense this season.

As first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Raiders are locking in tight end Darren Waller to a contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2023 season. The deal is expected to pay him around $9 million annually.

The #Raiders are signing their breakout TE Darren Waller to a contract extension through 2023, source said. Instead of being a restricted free agent in March (and potentially staring at a franchise tag after that), Waller gets his payday now. ?
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 17, 2019

Waller was set to hit restricted free agency at the end of the season, but Raiders general manager Mike Mayock opted against waiting in order to sign him up now.

The former 2015 sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens emerged as a diamond in the rough off the Raiders' practice squad in 2018. Notably, Waller was a key focal point in HBO's "Hard Knocks" series, as it detailed his history with substance abuse and his road to recovery.

Waller shined in the preseason, and it carried over in the regular season. Through five games, Waller recorded a team-leading 37 receptions for 359 yards. More importantly, the Georgia Tech alum has yet to drop a pass this season.

We have signed Darren Waller to a multi-year contract extension.

More: https://t.co/0RzGPBHG4u pic.twitter.com/BsCv0CeUE3
— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) October 17, 2019

Darren Waller's is a true comeback story. Now, his hard work is rewarded with a lucrative new contract.