The releases keep on coming ahead of NFL free agency.
The most recent victim is the Falcons’ Darnell Mooney, who will be released ahead of the new league year, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The move will save Atlanta $18.4 million in cap space.
Mooney broke out for the Falcons in 2024, finishing the season with 992 yards and five touchdowns, his highest yardage total since recording 1,055 in 2021. But that was followed by a subpar 2025 campaign, in which he accumulated just 443 yards and one score in 15 games.
Prior to his two-year stint with Atlanta, Mooney spent four years with the Bears. He only recorded over 700 yards once — that 2021 campaign, his second year in the league.
Without Mooney, the Falcons’ wide receiver room is still headlined by former first rounder Drake London. But that’s pretty much it. After London’s 919 yards in 12 games, Atlanta’s next highest yards total from a wide receiver was David Sills V’s 191.
Atlanta does, however, retain tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson, two key pieces to its offense. The Falcons decided to place the franchise tag on Pitts on Feb. 23, keeping him under contract for another year.
Pitts led the team with 928 receiving yards last year while Robinson pitched in 820 on top of 1,478 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns.
The Falcons — who finished 8-9 in 2025 — also enter the season with a major quarterback issue. Michael Penix Jr. earned the starting job over Kirk Cousins to begin the 2025 season, but Penix later tore his ACL in Week 10 versus Carolina.
His status is now unclear for 2026. Penix is looking to return for next year’s season opener, but the Falcons are “leaving their options open,” per ESPN.
Atlanta will also release Cousins, along with Mooney, when free agency begins, general manager Ian Cunningham announced on Feb. 24. The legal tampering period opens Monday before free agency officially starts Wednesday.
Besides Cousins and Mooney, players like the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, the Commanders’ Marshon Lattimore, the Chiefs’ Jawaan Taylor and the Giants’ Bobby Okereke are also expected to be released when free agency begins.
And for the Falcons, it’s clear which positions they need to address now.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
