The New York Giants have several new receivers to incorporate into coordinator Matt Nagy’s offense in 2026, and how all of the pieces fit remains to be seen. One of those new receivers, veteran Darnell Mooney, isn’t worried about the specifics. He already knows what his job entails. “My role is to make plays and dominate,” Mooney said after Thursday’s OTA practice. The 28-year-old Mooney has done that at times during his six-year NFL career. He had 81 receptions for 1,055 yards for the Chicago Bears
in 2021. He had 64 receptions for 992 yards with career highs in touchdowns (5) and yards per catch (15.5) for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. In his career, he has 309 receptions (51.5 per year) for 4,028 yards (671.0 per year). Coming off a down year with the Falcons (32 catches, 443 yards), Mooney signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Giants. Mooney’s best has been better than Darius Slayton’s best. He could take Slayton’s job, or he could join Slayton in the lineup if Malik Nabers is not ready to begin the season. Mooney was a fifth-round pick by the Bears in 2020, when Nagy was the head coach. His 1,000-yard season came while playing for Nagy in 2021. Mooney admitted that success and familiarity are part of the reason he signed with the Giants. “Familiarity with (offensive coordinator) Coach (Matt) Nagy. Not something I have to learn within the offense, a new offense. I can just run my route and just the familiarity with that. And then that was top-notch right there,” Mooney said. “That was what I’ve seen. And I felt like when I’m doing something, when I’m picking, it was more scheme, schematically fit for me. That was the biggest goal right there.” Nagy’s playbook, likely with input from head coach John Harbaugh, quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan, and senior assistant Greg Roman, has “expanded a lot,” according to Mooney. Mooney didn’t want to assess his career thus far. “I’m usually in the moment. I’m usually here where I’m at,” Mooney said. “Like I said when you asked me my role, it’s to dominate and make plays. I feel like I’m getting better and better and wiser within football in itself, so feeling good with that.” The Giants are simply hoping Mooney adds a successful new chapter to that career in 2026.
