The NFL has announced significant penalties against the Atlanta Falcons for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy. The Falcons will forfeit their fifth-round pick in next year’s draft and have been fined $250,000. Additionally, general manager Terry Fontenot has been fined $50,000. The penalties stem from improper contact with prospective unrestricted free agents Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, and Charlie Woerner prior to the start of the 2024 league year.
“While the policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period, any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited,” the league stated. “This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”
In response, the Falcons released a statement: “We are pleased this review is complete. We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the NFL’s thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve.”
Meanwhile, the NFL concluded its investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles’ pursuit of free-agent running back Saquon Barkley and found no evidence of tampering. Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with $26 million guaranteed at signing. The league reviewed phone logs, text messages, and other documents related to the Eagles’ free agent strategy and decision to sign Barkley before clearing the team of any wrongdoing.
Cousins, one of the players involved in the Falcons’ tampering case, agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed shortly after the opening of the league’s legal tampering window.
This isn’t the first instance of tampering penalties in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and a third-round selection in 2024 for tampering with quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. Similarly, the Kansas City Chiefs lost their third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and a sixth-round selection in 2017 for tampering with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in 2015. Both teams also faced fines as part of their respective punishments.
