The Atlanta Falcons tampering investigation concluded on Thursday with the NFL deciding to dock the team a 2025 fifth-round draft pick and fine it $250,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy prior to signing former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and two other free agents.
The Falcons had “improper contact” with Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and tight end Charlie Woerner prior to unrestricted free agency, according to the NFL. General manager Terry Fontenot was also fined $50,000 for the violations.
“We are pleased this review is complete,” the Falcons said in a statement shared with the Washington Examiner. “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.”
The team’s violations were “logistical/administrative, such as making travel arrangements after players agreed to terms, and did not involve contact prior to the negotiating window,” according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
Cousins and the Falcons agreed to a four-year contract that can earn him up to $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed on March 11, shortly after the “legal tampering” period began. This period is a two-day window in which teams and pending free agents can negotiate new contracts.
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The Falcons are not the only team to face a tampering investigation over the last several years. In the most well-known example, the Miami Dolphins lost a first-round pick and a third-round pick, while the team’s owner and vice chairman were suspended and fined $1.5 million and $500,000, respectively, in 2022 for their illegal attempts to acquire quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton.
The Philadelphia Eagles were also accused of tampering this season over conduct involving the free agent acquisition of running back Saquon Barkley. However, the NFL decided on Thursday that there was insufficient evidence that the Eagles broke the rules.
