The NFL has punished the Atlanta Falcons over their illegal negotiations with quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
Atlanta will forfeit a 2025 fifth-round pick and face $250,000 in fines while General Manager Terry Fontenot will face $50,000 in fines for these illegal contacts, according to Pelissero.
“The violations are considered logistical/administrative, such as making travel arrangements after players agreed to terms, and did not involve contact prior to the negotiating window, per sources,” he wrote on Twitter.
The NFL is docking the #Falcons a 2025 fifth-round pick for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy with Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner. The team is also being fined $250,000 and GM Terry Fontenot is being fined $50,000.
The violations are considered… pic.twitter.com/fa7cHnHXWu
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 13, 2024
The NFL opened this investigation following comments from Cousins that appeared to suggest that he had been in contact with Atlanta prior to the league’s legal negotiation window, The Sporting News reported. The NFL released a statement obtained by ESPN. (RELATED: Head Coach Says Aaron Rodgers Didn’t Come In For Mandatory Camp As Slew Of Superstars Are No-Shows)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 05: General manager Terry Fontenot of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to the media as Raheem Morris is introduced as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 05, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 24: Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank celebrates with Younghoe Koo #6 of the Atlanta Falcons after a win over the Indianapolis Colts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“While the policy permits clubs to engage with and 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 statement reportedly read. “This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”
FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA – MAY 14: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on behind quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 24: Kyle Pitts #8 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles were also under investigation for contact with running back Saquon Barkley but the league cleared the Eagles of wrongdoing, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
The punishment is already facing scrutiny for being too light, with PFT’s Mike Florio saying that the message this sends to the league is “tamper away.” Florio also referred to Pelissero’s report of the violations being during the “legal tampering period” as “NFL-propagated BS.”
“Cousins admitted to speaking directly to the head athletic trainer and to director of player personnel Ryan Pace during the negotiating window,” he alleged.
