This season has been an up-and-down one for the Oakland Raiders, but somehow they still are in the AFC postseason hunt going into Week 17.
The team’s overall success this season can be especially attributed to Darren Waller becoming a premier tight end. Nobody was expecting Waller to have the season he has so far, but he has proved time and time again that he is the real deal and a building block for the Raiders moving forward.
Waller has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards this season for the first in his career. Despite his great play and stats, Waller was not selected to the Pro Bowl. Although he has been named an alternate, Waller is not going to concern himself with the opinions of others, via Scott Bair of NBC Sports:
“What other people think doesn’t fall under my control, so I don’t take it personally,” Waller said in an interview with NBC Sports California. “I can’t control what’s valued more, whether it’s catches or yards or touchdowns or whether you’re a higher seed. I don’t stress over things like that. I never thought I would be a Pro Bowler, so to even be considered is a blessing to me.
“I feel like I cared about what people thought for too long. That’s not healthy for me. I just focus on what I’m doing and what I can do better.”
Waller’s approach to life seemed to do the trick as he has had one of the most thrilling stories in the NFL. After struggling with substance abuse, Waller turned his life around and earned his way back on to an NFL team.
Now he finds himself the most dangerous weapons on the Raiders roster, becoming the focus of opposing defenses. Despite only posting three touchdown receptions so far, Waller’s skills as both a blocker and route runner have made him hard to contain.
Waller added that adapting to different coverage has been tough, but he knows that he can still continue to get better:
“I’ve faced a bunch of new on-field challenges during this season, from extra coverages to an expanded role,” Waller said. “I’ve really had to create separation in tough circumstances and have found patience in an effort that can be frustrating. I feel like there has been growth in all aspects of my game, but I also know there’s progress left to be made. There’s a lot of work to be done.”
With Waller signing a contract extension earlier this season, hopefully, that growth will lead him and the Raiders to even further success down the road.
