The Falcons are releasing wide receiver Darnell Mooney after two seasons in Atlanta, according to a report NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Mooney had a quiet year in 2025, recording 32 catches for 443 receiving yards and one touchdown.
This was a drastic drop in production for the veteran receiver, who finished the 2024 season with 64 receptions for 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
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“The Falcons are planning to release WR Darnell Mooney, sources say, with Mooney set to count $18.4M against the salary cap,” wrote Rapoport. “Mooney, still just 28, has averaged better than 13 yards per catch in each of the last three seasons.”
However, it’s important to note that Mooney suffered a shoulder injury during training camp that was more severe than the team initially let on. He never appeared to be 100 percent last season, which undoubtedly affected his production.
According to Over The Cap’s projections, releasing Mooney will free up around $7.4 million while incurring a dead cap total of $11 million.
Since entering the league as a fifth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2020, Mooney has appeared in 91 career games, recording 309 catches for 4,028 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
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The Falcons are also expected to release wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge. The former Pro Bowl special teams ace spent the last four seasons in Atlanta. Releasing Hodge frees up $2.64 million while incurring a dead money total of $625,000.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Darnell Mooney cut ahead of NFL free agency