The Atlanta Falcons were stripped of a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft on Thursday for violating the NFL’s anti-tampering rules before signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Warner in free agency in March.
The NFL fined the team $250,000 and general manager Terry Fontenot $50,000.
The Falcons and Cousins agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed shortly after the league’s 52-hour legal tampering period began on March 11. Warner agreed to a three-year contract worth $12 million the same day, and Mooney agreed to a three-year contract worth $39 million the next day.
The league did not penalize the Philadelphia Eagles for improper contact with running back Saquon Barkley, saying its investigation “did not find sufficient evidence to support a conclusion that an anti-tampering policy violation occurred.”
It’s normal for teams and players to quickly reach agreements — players have done so before — but comments made during Cousins’ introductory press conference raised questions and led to an NFL investigation.
Cousins, whose 2023 season ended after eight games because of a ruptured right Achilles tendon, said he spoke with the team’s medical staff before being cleared for contact.
“We have great people here,” Cousins said. “Not just the football team, I look at the support staff. I had meetings and calls yesterday, I called the head athletic trainer, I spoke with the director of communications. We have good people here. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
During the two-day negotiating period, teams are allowed to negotiate directly with their agents, but are not allowed to negotiate directly with players unless they are represented by the players themselves.
“The policy allows clubs to negotiate all aspects of NFL player contracts with the future unrestricted free agents’ certified agents during the two-day negotiating period, but prohibits any direct contact between players and club employees or representatives,” the league said in a statement. “This includes any discussions regarding travel arrangements or other logistical issues that may have taken place regarding these three players.”
Barkley agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million contract with $26 million guaranteed from the New York Giants to division rival Philadelphia just hours after the legal misconduct began. Comments by Penn State coach James Franklin sparked the league investigation.
Franklin, who coached Barkley for three seasons, suggested Barkley had a phone conversation with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
“For him to now be able to come back and play in Philadelphia was one of the first things Howie (Roseman) said on the phone as part of his pitch to him,” Franklin said, “not only with the Philadelphia Eagles but obviously with Penn State and the fan base.”
The league said it had reviewed phone records, text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia’s free-agent strategy and its decision to sign Barkley. The NFL also interviewed Barkley and Franklin, as well as several members of the team, including Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni.
“As with any investigation, if new evidence is discovered, the league may reopen the investigation,” the NFL said in a statement.
The league has cracked down on cheating in the past, with the Miami Dolphins receiving the toughest penalties in 2022.
The Dolphins were stripped of a first-round pick and a third-round pick for cheating with Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was also suspended and fined $1.5 million, and executive Bruce Beal was fined $500,000.
In 2016, the Kansas City Chiefs were stripped of a third- and sixth-round pick for cheating on wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and the team was fined $250,000, head coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000 and then-general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000.
The New York Jets were fined $100,000 for misconduct before signing New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis in 2015.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
