SUMMARY
- Recently, Kirk Cousins agreed to sign a contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
- NFL authorities are currently investigating for possibly breaking tampering rules with Kirk Cousins' deal.
The National Football League’s authority established a tampering policy to maintain the contracts of the league’s member clubs and the negotiation rights. The tampering rule also ensures the intra-league competitive systems conceived for either the accession or retention of a player.
In other words, a franchise aiming to purchase a player still in contract with his current club can speak with the player’s representative just days before their contract expires. This two-day period is known as the “two-day negotiating period,” and this is the reason why new deals are announced before the official start of the free agency period.
Meanwhile, the tampering policy also states that a player who is in contact with a new club can’t enjoy any facilities or even make any direct contact with the club’s representatives. If any franchise is found guilty in this regard, then they will have to face punishment and be fined a large amount.
Atlanta Falcons are under investigation for potential tampering in Kirk Cousins’ deal
Atlanta Falcons had quite an impressive free agency period, signing Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, Charlie Woerner, Nate Landman, and others. However, sudden news came on March 14, 2024, that the NFL authorities were investigating for possibly breaking tampering rules with Kirk Cousins’ deal.
It is clearly mentioned that during the legal tampering period, teams will not be permitted to make any direct contact with the players. Despite that, Cousins stated in his introductory press meeting on March 13 that he had already met with the franchises before the official beginning of the free agency period.
Another important factor that broke out was Cousins’ connection with Kyle Pitts. Pitts plays tight end for the Falcons and might have played a vital role in signing Cousins with the franchise. Hence, if the investigating committee finds the franchise guilty, they will have to face major issues in the future.
Philadelphia Eagles are under investigation for potential tampering in the Saquon Barkley deal
Saquon Barkley joined the Philadelphia Eagles after six years with the New York Giants. However, no sooner did the running back sign with the Eagles that the franchise was allegedly violating the league’s tampering policy. Eventually, the franchise denied the allegation by stating they were not linked with Barkley unlawfully before handing him a contract worth $37.75 million for three years.
The question of breaking tampering policy arose when, on March 12, 2024, Penn State manager James Franklin said Barkley had some sort of conversation with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. The discussion concerned the player’s decision-making process as a free agent.
Barkley denied the accusation during the introductory press meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Barkley said, “Coach Franklin, I think I misinterpreted it. The truth was that the sales pitch to Penn State, and how many Penn State fans are Eagles fans. But that was through my agent. My agent told me that.” Therefore, until the investigation is complete, no official announcement can be made regarding this.
What issues will the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles face if found guilty?
As per the tampering policy, if any franchise is found violating the rules, it could be fined and/or docked draft capital. The docked draft capital indicates a penalty where the franchise will be forfeited to one or more draft picks.
This is not the first time any franchise has alleged a violation of the tampering policy. In 2022 and 2016, the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs were found guilty. Due to that, the Chiefs were fined $250,000 and forfeited third- and sixth-round draft picks.
Per an NFL spokesman, the league is looking into potential tampering by the Eagles (presumably with Saquon Barkley) and the Falcons (presumably with Kirk Cousins). More coming at PFT.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 14, 2024
The Dolphins were unable to pick first- and third-round draft picks because they made improper contact with Tom Brady. The principal owners, Stephen M. Ross and Bruce Beal, were fined $1.5 million and $500,000, respectively, and were banned temporarily from the meetings.
