Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons are reportedly planning to release receiver Darnell Mooney

After an encouraging season in 2024, Mooney’s production dropped off last season.
Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney — pictured stepping out of bounds after a catch against the Saints in January — had 32 catches for 443 yards and one touchdown last season. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney — pictured stepping out of bounds after a catch against the Saints in January — had 32 catches for 443 yards and one touchdown last season. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)
By AJC Sports
March 5, 2026

The Falcons will have a new look to their receiving corps next season.

The team plans to release receiver Darnell Mooney, according to a report Thursday by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

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The move will result in cap savings for the Falcons, who will regain about $7.4 million in space, while losing about $11 million in dead cap space.

Mooney, 28, is coming off one of the least-productive seasons in his six-year NFL career with just 32 catches for 443 yards and one touchdown last season. That was in stark contrast to one of his best seasons — 64 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 — his first year with the Falcons.

After spending his first four seasons with the Bears, Mooney signed a three-year deal worth $39 million with the Falcons. His 2026 salary of $6.5 million wasn’t guaranteed.

The Falcons are likely to pursue other options with the opening of free agency next week, along with the draft in April.

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