Falcons Releasing WR Darnell Mooney

Per Over The Cap, the Falcons will save $7.42 million in cap 2026 cap space with $11 million in dead cap if he’s released before June 1st, as he was scheduled to carry a cap number of $18.42 million. Atlanta can save $11.92 million in 2026 by splitting up the dead cap over two years with a post June-1st release.

Mooney, 28, was a four-year starter at Tulane and was named second-team all-conference in his junior season. The Bears traded up to draft him with the No. 173 pick in the fifth round in 2020. 

Mooney played out the final year of a four-year, $2,917,050 rookie contract that included a $282,050 signing bonus.

He later joined the Falcons on a three-year, $39 million contract with $26 million fully guaranteed back in 2024. 

In 2025, Mooney appeared in 15 games for the Falcons and 32 seven passes for 443 yards and a touchdown.