The Atlanta Falcons are planning to release wide receiver Darnell Mooney, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Mooney, 28, was set to count $18.4 million against the salary cap but had no guaranteed money remaining. The move will save Atlanta $7.42 million in cap space, with $11 million in dead money.
The receiver joined the Falcons on a three-year, $39 million contract after four seasons in Chicago Bears, where he served as a field-stretching weapon. In his first season in Atlanta, Mooney recorded 992 yards and five touchdowns across 16 games. However, last season saw a decline in production: he finished with 443 yards on 32 catches and a single touchdown, failing to surpass 74 receiving yards in any game and logging nine contests with 25 yards or fewer.
Mooney now enters a deep 2026 free-agent wide receiver class that includes Alec Pierce, Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs, Jalen Nailor, Deebo Samuel, and recently, Stefon Diggs.
