Darnell Mooney

Darnell Mooney Bio

Darnell Mooney is an American professional football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Mooney has established himself as a reliable pass-catching option throughout his NFL career, accumulating over 4,000 receiving yards across six seasons with three different franchises. He began his professional journey in Chicago before signing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and joining the Giants in 2026.

Early Life and Background

Darnell Mooney was born on October 29, 1997, in Gadsden, Alabama. He attended Gadsden City High School, where he played football and basketball for the Gadsden City Titans. His athletic versatility was evident during his high school years as he competed in multiple sports, demonstrating the speed and coordination that would later serve him well on the football field. Mooney’s competitive nature and work ethic began to take shape during these formative years in his hometown.

Path to Professional Football

After high school, Mooney continued his football career at the collegiate level, playing for Tulane University from 2016 to 2019. He emerged as a standout receiver for the Green Wave, leading the team in receiving yards during both his junior and senior seasons. Mooney caught 48 passes each year, amassing 993 yards in 2018 and 713 yards in 2019 while scoring 19 touchdowns throughout his college career. His performance at Tulane showcased his ability to be a primary offensive weapon at the collegiate level. Prior to the 2020 NFL Draft, Mooney impressed scouts at the NFL Combine by running a 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, solidifying his reputation as a speed threat at the professional level.

Darnell Mooney Career

Chicago Bears (2020–2023)

Mooney was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 173rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract with the team on July 21, 2020. In his NFL debut, a 27–23 victory over the Detroit Lions, Mooney caught three passes from Mitchell Trubisky for 38 yards. He scored his first professional touchdown the following week when he caught a 15-yard pass against the New York Giants. Mooney’s rookie season reached its peak in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings when he caught four passes and a touchdown, raising his season reception total to 46 and setting the Bears franchise record for the most catches by a rookie, surpassing Harlon Hill’s mark of 45 set in 1954. In the season finale against the rival Green Bay Packers, Mooney recorded his best game of the year with 11 receptions for 93 yards, though he sustained an ankle injury that forced him to miss the Bears’ playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.

For the 2021 season, Mooney emerged as a consistent receiving threat, catching 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. His standout performance came in the final game of the season against the Vikings, where he caught 12 passes for 126 yards. The 2022 season began promisingly with Mooney starting the first 12 games before suffering an ankle injury in Week 12 that ended his campaign. He was placed on injured reserve on November 29, 2022, finishing the year with 40 receptions for 493 yards and two touchdowns. The 2023 season proved challenging as Mooney posted career lows of 31 receptions, 414 yards, and one touchdown. His best performance came in a Week 8 game against the New Orleans Saints with five catches for 82 yards. He sustained a concussion in Week 15 and missed the final two games of the season.

Atlanta Falcons (2024–2025)

On March 15, 2024, Mooney signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, representing a significant step in his career as he joined a new franchise. In Week 5 of the 2024 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, Mooney delivered his best performance in a Falcons uniform, catching 9 of 16 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns. This marked the first multi-touchdown game of his entire NFL career, demonstrating his ability to make an impact in the red zone. On March 9, 2026, the Falcons released Mooney, ending his tenure with the franchise after two seasons.

New York Giants (2026–Present)

Following his release from Atlanta, Mooney signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Giants on March 17, 2026. This move marked the third team of his professional career and provided him with an opportunity to contribute to the Giants’ receiving corps. The signing represented a fresh start for Mooney as he aimed to rebuild his career and demonstrate his continued value as an NFL receiver.

Playing Style and Strengths

Mooney has established himself as a possession receiver with exceptional speed that creates mismatches against opposing defenses. His 4.38-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine highlighted his deep-threat potential, though he has also proven capable of making contested catches and working the middle of the field. His route-running precision has developed throughout his career, enabling him to find soft spots in zone coverage and create separation at critical moments.

Darnell Mooney Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2020 through the 2025 season, Mooney has accumulated 309 receptions for 4,028 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns across regular-season games. His most productive season came in 2021 with the Bears when he recorded 81 catches for over 1,000 yards. His rookie season with Chicago saw him set a franchise record for rookie receptions, establishing him as a promising young talent in the league.

College Career Highlights

At Tulane, Mooney was a two-year starter who led the Green Wave in receiving during his junior and senior seasons. His 993 receiving yards in 2018 represented the best single-season total of his collegiate career. Combined with his 713 yards in 2019 and 19 total touchdowns across four seasons, Mooney’s college production demonstrated the foundation for his professional success. His standout performances at Tulane directly contributed to his selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Professional Career Summary

Mooney’s professional statistics through the 2025 season reflect a consistent performer who has contributed across multiple offensive systems. His 4,028 career receiving yards and 17 touchdowns illustrate his reliability as a pass-catcher at the highest level of professional football. The progression from his record-setting rookie season with the Bears through his multi-touchdown game with the Falcons showcases his development as an impact player throughout his career.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Mooney’s second year with the Atlanta Falcons, providing him with an opportunity to build upon his encouraging debut season with the franchise. Working within the Falcons’ offensive scheme, Mooney continued to serve as a reliable target in the passing game throughout the regular season. His consistent involvement in the offense reflected the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities and his established rapport with the quarterbacks. The season allowed Mooney to demonstrate his durability and reliability as a starting-caliber receiver in the NFL.

Mooney’s 2025 campaign resulted in 48 receptions for 591 yards and two touchdowns across 17 games. While his reception and yardage totals mirrored his 2024 production, the season featured the typical weekly contributions expected from a veteran receiver in the league. The continuity of his role within the Falcons’ offense provided stability for the team as they competed within the NFC.

Following the conclusion of the 2025 season and his subsequent release from the Falcons in March 2026, Mooney’s career trajectory led him to sign with the New York Giants. This move represented a new chapter in his professional journey, offering him the chance to contribute to a Giants offense seeking additional receiving talent. His experience spanning six seasons and three franchises demonstrated his adaptability and resilience as a professional athlete.