Giants Sign WR Darnell Mooney, Snub NFC East Rival

Mooney spurned the Philadelphia Eagles to join the New York Giants, reuniting with former Bears OC Matt Nagy.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:34am

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The New York Giants have signed former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney to a one-year, $10 million contract. The signing is notable as Mooney reportedly turned down an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles to join the Giants, where he will reunite with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who coached him in Chicago.

Why it matters

The Giants have been looking to bolster their receiving corps, and landing Mooney, a talented young wideout, is a significant addition. The fact that Mooney chose the Giants over an NFC East rival like the Eagles speaks to the growing respect for the Giants organization and their ability to attract top free agent talent.

The details

Mooney, a fifth-round draft pick out of Tulane in 2020, had a breakout season with the Bears in 2021, catching 81 passes for 1,055 yards and 5 touchdowns. He spent the last two seasons with the Falcons before being released. Giants OC Matt Nagy, who coached Mooney in Chicago, was a key factor in luring the receiver to New York.

  • Mooney was released by the Falcons in March 2026.
  • Mooney signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Giants on March 16, 2026.

The players

Darnell Mooney

A 26-year-old wide receiver who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons before signing with the New York Giants.

Matt Nagy

The offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, who previously served as the head coach of the Chicago Bears when Mooney was on the team.

Philadelphia Eagles

An NFC East rival of the New York Giants who were also interested in signing Darnell Mooney in free agency.

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What they’re saying

“Giants OC Matt Nagy was a factor. Mooney maintained a good relationship with Nagy from their Chicago days.”

— Jeremy Fowler, ESPN reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Giants will look to integrate Mooney into their offense and see how he performs alongside other key receivers like Malik Nabers. Mooney's decision to join the Giants over the Eagles will be closely watched as the NFC East rivals battle for supremacy.

The takeaway

The Giants' ability to sign Mooney, a talented young receiver, over an NFC East rival like the Eagles is a testament to the growing respect for the Giants organization and their ability to attract top free agent talent. This signing strengthens the Giants' receiving corps and gives them more flexibility in the upcoming draft.