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Giants Burn $10 Million On Darnell Mooney As Rookie Takes Over
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- Giants Burn $10 Million On Darnell Mooney As Rookie Takes Over
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The New York Giants lit $3 million on fire when they signed Darnell Mooney. This deal was supposed to bring a veteran leader to help Malik Nabers. The team thought Mooney could fix their depth issues after letting go of older receivers. That plan has fallen apart in the first seven weeks of the 2026 season.
Mooney signed a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. He hoped to revive his career after a rough year in Atlanta. The Giants wanted him to be their second-best receiver. GMEN HQ reported that the team was desperate for depth behind Nabers. They thought his past work with Matt Nagy in Chicago would help. But the results on the field tell a different story.
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Stats Do Not Lie
Through the first seven weeks, Mooney has caught just nine passes. He has gained 113 yards and has three carries for 32 yards. He is healthy and has a clear path to start. Yet, he has been outperformed by players with much less experience. Josh Cuevas, Efton Chism, Dohnte Meyers, Konata Mumpfield, Elijah Higgins, and Jordan Watkins have all caught more passes than him.
The Giants only guaranteed him $3 million. So, the financial hit is not total. But the opportunity cost is high. The team needed a reliable target who could gain 500 or 600 yards. Mooney has not come close to that mark. There is no room for him in the long-term plans anymore. He is now a stain on what was a good free agent class.
The Rise of Malachi Fields
A younger option is now getting the trust of the coaches. Rookie wideout Malachi Fields has started to shine in recent weeks. During the 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans, Fields caught four of his five targets. He gained 83 yards and had a huge 47-yard catch-and-run. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw him the ball perfectly.
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Fields is bigger than Mooney at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. He is also a better red-zone threat and a willing run blocker. The rookie is almost six years younger than the 29-year-old veteran. If the Giants want a WR2 to grow with this offense, the choice is clear. GMEN HQ noted that Fields has made the most of his chances when they come.
A Costly Lesson for the Front Office
The signing was a low-stakes deal, but it failed to produce. Mooney caught just one pass for four yards in the win over Houston. That is a sign of a player who could be on the roster bubble.
