Delanie Walker sat out the 2020 season, and he played in only eight games between 2018-19 due to injuries. But the veteran tight end is intent on coming back for the 2021 campaign, despite the fact that he’ll turn 37 in August.
Appearing on a recent episode of Turron Davenport’s podcast, Walker peeled back the curtain on the process and his hopes for his comeback, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. He had a workout with the 49ers about a month ago, but nothing came of it. “Right now, I couldn’t tell you who I will be playing for or what teams are looking at me,” Walker said. “They talk to me, but at the end of the day, I feel like they think the ankle is a problem and my age. Teams are really not trying to give me a good deal, I feel like.”
Walker said he feels good physically, although he did admit he can’t say for sure how he’d hold up to contact. “I feel like the same Delanie Walker two years ago. But again, you know, I’m a realist. I won’t sit here and be like, ‘Oh, shoot, I can out there and play.’ I can go out there and play, but would I take a hit, would that be a problem? I do not know. I think that’s a concern teams have.” He did add “I feel like the ankle will hold up.”
For now he said he’s just focused on keeping in great shape, and he expressed confidence that he’ll get his opportunity in training camp. “I know that opportunity gonna come where someone’s gonna need a tight end for training camp. And that’s where my opportunity’s gonna come.”
As for a potential landing spot, he unsurprisingly wants to go to a winner. “I feel like I need to get a Super Bowl ring, so my objective is really to try to go to a team that’s a contender. But it is the NFL, you never know what team can be a contender, so my options are open.”
We heard the Patriots and Ravens were interested last August before he elected to sit out the season and heal up. New England is probably set at tight end after adding Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith this offseason, but perhaps Baltimore could still be interested as an option behind Mark Andrews. It’s been a few years now, but Walker was a Pro Bowler in three straight seasons from 2015-17.d
“Teams are really not trying to give me a good deal, I feel like.”
Given his age and lack of production the past few years, Walker would be crazy to expect more than a one year deal at the league minimum.
Right, he needs to take that same realization about his ankle, and apply reality to the fact he isn’t worth more than the veteran minimum.
Although, he could be defining “a good deal” as one loaded with performance bonuses. Which normally teams wouldn’t have a problem doing for a starter, but teams don’t typically factor in heavy incentives, nor much of their budget at all coming from a backup late 30s TE.
Personally, if his ankles holds up, I think Delanie Walker could still provide a team with 30-35 catches, 275-300 yards, and a handful or so TDs. However, unless he will settle for simple vet minimum deal, and one without hardly any significant incentives, then he’ll likely remain a free agent. Well, that’ll likely be the case unless a contender suffers an injury or two at the TE position.
Would absolutely love to see him join the Ravens.
Sounds like Richard Sherman Part 2. You over play your hand. Act like you are still the once good player and want to much. Then you find yourself having to create buzz all summer after everyone has signed. Quit already
There were only three 35+ year old tight ends in the league last year and all three contributed next to nothing during the season. Can’t imagine this guy will get anything more than the veteran minimum based on his injury history and his age.
Veteran minimal with incentives from the Titans, Jets, or Jaguars.
“Quit already” lots of comments talking s about a guy who doesn’t want to hang it up. He’s been playing this game his whole life and once it’s gone it’s gone. I’d expect to hear things like. “Go get it or no regrets” but instead yell talk like he’s stupid for trying.