EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Giants are bolstering their receiving corps with the addition of veteran wide receiver Darnell Mooney, the team confirmed Saturday. The move signals continued progress in the team’s rebuild under new head coach John Harbaugh, as they look to inject more offensive firepower into a unit that struggled in recent seasons.
The signing, first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, comes as Harbaugh aims to reshape the Giants’ offense following a disappointing 2025 campaign. Mooney, 28, agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million, according to Rapoport. The deal is pending a physical.
Mooney joins the Giants after two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and four years with the Chicago Bears. He’s expected to provide a veteran presence and a reliable target for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is poised to lead the Giants’ offense. New York has also recently added tight end Isaiah Likely and receiver Calvin Austin, and brought back Isaiah Hodgins, signaling a clear intent to upgrade the passing game.
What makes this acquisition particularly interesting is that Mooney reportedly turned down an offer from a division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, to sign with New York. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Eagles were “involved” in Mooney’s market, but ultimately lost out to the Giants. This could be a sign of the growing respectability of the Giants’ program under Harbaugh, or a reflection of Mooney’s specific fit within the new offensive scheme.
A key factor in Mooney’s decision appears to be his existing relationship with Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Nagy, who previously served as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, was instrumental in Mooney’s development during his time in Chicago. Mooney enjoyed his most productive season in 2021 under Nagy’s tutelage, recording 81 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns.
That 2021 season remains a career high for Mooney, showcasing his potential as a dynamic receiving threat. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Bears, Mooney has accumulated 309 receptions for 4,028 yards and 17 touchdowns across six professional seasons. While his production dipped somewhat during his time in Atlanta – he had 32 receptions for 443 yards and one touchdown in 15 games in 2025 – the Giants are betting on Nagy’s ability to unlock his previous form.
The Giants’ require for receiving help is undeniable. The team finished near the bottom of the league in passing offense last season, and struggled to consistently generate explosive plays. Mooney’s addition, alongside the other recent acquisitions, aims to address those deficiencies and provide Dart with more reliable targets.
The arrival of Harbaugh in January was intended to jumpstart a franchise that has been mired in mediocrity. The Giants have finished last in the NFC East for the past two seasons and haven’t had a winning record since 2016, when they went 11-5. The team is hoping that Harbaugh’s leadership, combined with strategic roster moves like the signing of Mooney, will usher in a new era of success.
The connection between Mooney and Nagy is particularly noteworthy. The familiarity between a quarterback’s targets and the offensive playcaller is often a critical component of a successful passing attack. Having a receiver who already understands Nagy’s system and terminology could accelerate Mooney’s integration into the Giants’ offense.
Looking ahead, the Giants will continue to evaluate their roster and explore potential additions as they prepare for the upcoming season. The team is likely to address other positions of need in the coming weeks, but the signing of Darnell Mooney represents a significant step forward in their rebuilding process. The Giants’ next official event is the start of the team’s offseason workout program in April, where fans will gain their first glimpse of Mooney in a Giants uniform.
The Giants’ offense, now featuring Mooney alongside Nabers and Slayton, aims to become one of the league’s more dynamic and unpredictable units. Whether they can achieve that goal remains to be seen, but the addition of Mooney provides a significant boost to their chances.
Fans can follow updates on Mooney and the Giants throughout the offseason on the team’s official website and social media channels. The team is expected to provide further details on their offseason plans in the coming weeks.
