BREAKING: Falcons Sign Ex Bears WR Darnell Mooney, Give Kirk Cousins New Weapon
The Atlanta Falcons have a new weapon for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
According to NFL Network, the Falcons agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with receiver Darnell Mooney, with $26 million guaranteed.
Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) runs for a first down in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The 26-year-old Mooney spent the first four years of his career with the Chicago Bears, playing in 60 games with 49 starts. He caught 213 passes for 2,593 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Mooney's best professional season came in 2021, when he saw 140 targets and recorded 81 catches for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns.
He's missed seven games over the past two seasons and watched his role in Chicago's offense vary - to the extent that 2023 was his least productive year in the NFL.
The 5-11, 173-pound Mooney caught 31 passes for 414 yards and one touchdown across 15 games, 14 starts, last season.
In Atlanta, Mooney's now just the second receiver under contract, joining third-year pro Drake London, the team's No. 1 wideout.
The Falcons have sought a capable No. 2 receiver for the last several years but have had little success. Mooney delivers exactly that on an offense suddenly loaded with pieces.
The four-year, $180 million contract to Cousins stabilizes the quarterback role, while the core offensive group of London, Mooney, tight end Kyle Pitts and running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier gives him plenty of playmakers.
Atlanta's now made three free agency signings, the other being tight end Charlie Woerner, largely known for his blocking and special teams ability.
Deals can become official after 4 p.m. Wednesday.
