Falcons penalized in Kirk Cousins tampering case as Eagles skate

The NFL has released its highly anticipated rulings in the tampering cases against the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.

Conclusion? Not much to see here.

The league announced Thursday that there was insufficient evidence to penalize the Eagles in their (ultimately successful) free agent pursuit of running back Saquon Barkley. The Falcons, meanwhile, will lose next year’s fifth-round pick and pay a $250,000 fine for violating the anti-tampering policy “related to inappropriate contact with potential unrestricted free agents Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner” before this year’s game. allowed a trading window before the free agent market officially opens in March. Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot will also have to pay a $50,000 fine.

Regarding the sanction imposed on the Falcons, the league said in a statement: “While the policy allows clubs to engage and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any potential unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiation period, any Direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited. This includes discussions about travel arrangements or other logistical matters, including the club. recognizes that they took place concerning these three players.

Cousins, the Falcons’ new quarterback, Mooney and Werner all signed with Atlanta – Cousins got a four-year, $180 million contract that prompted him to leave the Minnesota Vikings after six years in the Twin Cities.

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As for the Eagles’ case, the NFL revealed that it “reviewed phone logs, text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia’s free agency strategy and the decision to sign Barkley.” The NFL also interviewed several members of the organization, including (GM) Howie Roseman and (head coach) Nick Sirianni, as well as Barkley and Penn State head coach James Franklin, as with every review, whether new evidence was discovered, the league could reopen the investigation.

Franklin was Barkley’s coach at Happy Valley from 2015 to 2017. Barkley was drafted second overall in 2018 by the New York Giants, his only NFL employer, before joining their NFC East rivals.

The moves provide a resolution to controversies arising from two of the most high-profile free agent signings this offseason. After Cousins signed with the Falcons, he indicated during his introductory press conference that he had contact with Atlanta’s head coach before the start of the new league year, the March 13. Although agents are allowed to speak with teams during the trading window, players who do not represent themselves are prohibited from contact.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank told USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell in March that the organization had “done nothing intentionally” to circumvent league rules.

“I know there was no falsification of our point of view,” Blank said. “Whatever the conversation was, it was very innocent. We will see. Whatever the league decides, we will take care of it.

Barkley agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million contract with Philadelphia on March 11, when the trading window opened. A day later, however, Franklin said his former star student recounted a conversation with Roseman. The Eagles have denied any wrongdoing, and Barkley said Franklin’s description was not accurate.

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