The Atlanta Falcons are signing former Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney to a three-year contract worth $39 million according to a report from Ian Rapoport. Mooney teams up with Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, a quarterback he watched closely with the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. The Bears must now appropriately replace Mooney.
Sources: The #Falcons are signing #Bears WR Darnell Mooney, giving them a key new playmaker for Kirk Cousins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024
Mooney gets a 3-year, $39M deal with $26M fully guaranteed in a contract negotiated by David Mulugheta and AJ Stevens of @AthletesFirst. A top WR off the board. pic.twitter.com/EgWKYhY0b7
Mooney recorded career-lows in receptions (31) and receiving yards (414) this past campaign. Mooney missed two regular-season games through injury. It's worth noting Mooney averaged a career-high 13.4 yards per catch. Mooney once broke out of his shell to record 1,055 yards as a sophomore in 2021. Mooney's vertical speed pairs well with Cousins' ability to throw the deep ball. The Falcons are banking on Mooney recapturing his previous form.
Mooney's official departure creates a hole at WR2 opposite D.J. Moore. Tyler Scott and Velus Jones Jr. haven't yet proven capable of stepping into a starring role. General manager Ryan Poles must replace Mooney either through free agency, or the 2024 NFL Draft. Options are waning thin in free agency. Taking a flier on a possible speedy like-for-like replacement like D.J. Chark or Marquez Valdes-Scantling may be worthwhile.
Drafting a wide receiver with the No. 9 overall selection would provide a higher return on investment. Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers qualify as potential targets.