Darnell Mooney Bio
Darnell Mooney is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds, he has built his reputation on speed, reliable hands, and the ability to stretch the field. He attended Tulane University, where he developed into one of the most productive pass catchers in the Green Wave program, before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2020 NFL Draft.
After spending his first four professional seasons in Chicago, Mooney signed with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2024. Known for his quick release off the line of scrimmage and consistent route running, he has become a trusted target for his quarterbacks at both the professional and collegiate levels.
Early Life and Background
Darnell Mooney was born on October 29, 1997, in Gadsden, Alabama, a small city in the northeastern part of the state. Growing up in a community with a strong passion for high school sports, Mooney was drawn to athletics at an early age. His upbringing in Gadsden shaped his competitive nature and helped lay the foundation for his future in football.
Mooney attended Gadsden City High School, where he played both football and basketball for the Gadsden City Titans. Competing in multiple sports helped him develop the agility, endurance, and hand-eye coordination that would later define his play as a wide receiver. His experiences as a multi-sport athlete also gave him an understanding of teamwork and discipline that he carried into his college career.
Path to American Football
Following his high school graduation, Mooney chose to continue his football career at Tulane University, joining the Tulane Green Wave of the American Athletic Conference. At Tulane, he steadily worked his way into a prominent role within the offense, learning the nuances of route running, press coverage recognition, and timing with the quarterback.
During his junior season in 2018, Mooney led the Green Wave in receiving with 48 catches for 993 yards, establishing himself as a true deep threat. He matched that reception total in his senior year in 2019, adding 713 yards, and finished his college career with 19 receiving touchdowns. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds, confirming the speed that had made him a standout at Tulane and improving his draft stock.
Darnell Mooney Career
Early Career (2020)
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, and quickly earned a role in the Bears’ offense. In his NFL debut, a 27-23 victory over the Detroit Lions, he caught three passes for 38 yards from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
The following week, Mooney scored his first career touchdown on a 15-yard reception against the New York Giants. He continued to produce throughout his rookie season, finishing with 46 catches and breaking Harlon Hill’s 1954 franchise record for the most receptions by a Bears rookie. His best performance came in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers, when he caught 11 passes for 93 yards before an ankle injury forced him to miss the Bears’ playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.
NFL Breakthrough with the Chicago Bears (2021-2022)
In his second professional season, Mooney took a major step forward. During the 2021 campaign, he caught 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns, establishing himself as Chicago’s primary downfield weapon. His best outing of the year came in the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, where he posted 12 receptions for 126 yards.
The 2022 season proved more challenging. Mooney started the first 12 games before suffering an ankle injury in Week 12 that sent him to injured reserve on November 29, 2022. He finished the year with 40 receptions for 493 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the injury-shortened season, his 2021 performance had cemented his status as a reliable starting wide receiver in the NFL.
Later Chicago Years and Atlanta Falcons Era (2023-Present)
Mooney’s 2023 season with the Bears was the most difficult of his career to that point. He finished with career lows of 31 receptions, 414 yards, and one touchdown. His standout performance came in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints, when he caught five passes for 82 yards. A concussion suffered in Week 15 forced him to miss the final two games. As a pending free agent, he publicly expressed his desire to remain in Chicago.
On March 15, 2024, Mooney signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning a new chapter in his career. In Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, he caught 9 of 16 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns, recording the first multi-touchdown game of his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Mooney’s most memorable career moments is his 2021 season, when he became one of only a handful of Bears receivers to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark in a single year. His rookie-year franchise record for receptions, his first multi-touchdown game in Atlanta, and his consistent development from a fifth-round pick into a featured receiver all stand as key milestones in his career.
Darnell Mooney Career Highlights
Chicago Bears Highlights
During his four seasons with the Chicago Bears, Mooney developed from a promising rookie into a dependable starting wide receiver. His 2021 campaign stands out as his most productive, with 81 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. His rookie-season record of 46 catches and his Week 17 performance against the rival Green Bay Packers remain signature moments from his Bears tenure.
Other Performances
Mooney’s college career at Tulane included 48 receptions in both his junior and senior seasons, along with 19 total receiving touchdowns. His 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine highlighted his athletic profile and helped secure his selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Darnell Mooney Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Limited public information is available about Darnell Mooney’s family background. He was raised in Gadsden, Alabama, where his family supported his early athletic development in both football and basketball. Details about his parents and siblings have not been widely published.
Mooney keeps his personal life largely private. He has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children, and he tends to focus public attention on his professional career and on-field performance.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Darnell Mooney is expected to play a central role in the Atlanta Falcons’ offense under the terms of his three-year contract signed in 2024. After recording his first career multi-touchdown game late in the 2024 season, he enters the new year with momentum and a clear opportunity to expand his role within the Falcons’ passing attack.
His combination of speed, route precision, and experience makes him a valuable asset as Atlanta continues to build its offensive identity. With a full offseason to build chemistry with his quarterback and coaching staff, Mooney is positioned to remain a consistent contributor and a key target in the Falcons’ aerial gameplan.