The Atlanta Falcons have been penalized by the NFL for violating anti-tampering rules in their signings of quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and tight end Charlie Woerner during free agency in March. The team has lost a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft and has been fined $250,000, with general manager Terry Fontenot also receiving a $50,000 fine.
The Falcons reached agreements with Cousins, Mooney, and Woerner shortly after the legal tampering window opened. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed, while Mooney agreed to a $39 million, three-year deal, and Woerner signed a $12 million, three-year contract.
On the other hand, the Philadelphia Eagles were not penalized for their contact with running back Saquon Barkley, as the league found insufficient evidence of anti-tampering violations. Barkley ultimately signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles.
The NFL prohibits direct contact between players and team representatives during the negotiation period, except when the player represents themselves. The league's investigation was triggered by comments made by Cousins during his introductory news conference, suggesting early contact with the Falcons' staff.
Notably, the league has a history of cracking down on tampering violations. In 2022, the Miami Dolphins faced severe penalties for tampering with Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton, forfeiting draft picks and receiving fines. Similarly, the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets have also been fined in the past for tampering violations.
The NFL's statement indicates that the investigation into the Falcons and Eagles' actions may be reopened if new evidence emerges. The league remains committed to enforcing anti-tampering policies to maintain fairness and integrity in player signings.
