Quarterback Kirk Cousins has a new weapon with the Atlanta Falcons.
NFL Network reports that the Falcons and receiver Darnell Mooney reached an agreement on a three-year, $39 million contract that includes a $26 million guarantee.
The 26-year-old Mooney played in 60 games with 49 starts during his first four years of professional football with the Chicago Bears. For a total of 2,593 yards and 11 touchdowns, he caught 213 receptions.
In 2021, Mooney had his best season as a professional, seeing 140 targets and hauling in 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns.
Over the previous two seasons, he had missed seven games and saw his role in Chicago’s offense fluctuate to the point where 2023 was his least productive season in the NFL.
Over the course of 15 games, 14 starts, and 173 yards, the 5-11, 173-pound Mooney caught 31 catches for 414 yards and one touchdown last season.
Mooney is now just the second receiver in Atlanta with a contract, behind third-year player Drake London, who is the team’s top wide receiver.
The Falcons have been trying unsuccessfully for a few years to find a reliable No. 2 receiver. Mooney provides precisely that to an offensive suddenly bereft of players.
The four-year, $180 million deal that Cousins signed provides stability to the quarterback position, and the offensive line that includes London, Mooney, tight end Kyle Pitts, and running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson provides him with plenty of playmakers.
With the addition of tight end Charlie Woerner, who is primarily recognized for his blocking and special teams prowess, Atlanta has now signed three free agents.
Deals can be finalized after Wednesday at 4 p.m.