NFL answers specific questions about Falcons investigation instead of making someone available for interview

We have many questions about the NFL’s decision in the Falcons tampering investigation, as the outcome does not seem to match comments made by quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​during his inaugural press conference.

A request was made to interview someone from the league about the situation. The NFL declined to provide anyone.

As an alternative (and although I strongly prefer being able to talk to someone), we submitted five questions. The NFL responded.

Here they are, as asked and answered.

1. “The Eagles statement details the investigative steps. The Falcons statement does not. What was done to prove the Falcons’ violation?”

A: “The NFL reviewed phone records, text messages and other documents, including press conference transcripts, and also conducted interviews with relevant personnel.”

2. “On March 13, Kirk Cousins ​​said he spoke with the head coach during the negotiation phase. Was this investigated?”

3. “On March 13, Cousins ​​said he spoke with Director of Player Personnel Ryan Pace. Cousins ​​did not specify a day or time, but it was likely before 4 p.m. ET on March 13. Has that been investigated?”

A: “And yes to your questions 2 and 3. The evidence established that no Falcons employee had direct contact with any of the players before their agents agreed to the terms. The improper contact occurred afterward and was to discuss administrative logistical matters.”

4. “On March 13, Cousins ​​said he was personally involved in the recruitment of Darnell Mooney during the negotiation phase. Was this investigated?”

5. “On March 13, Cousins ​​said Kyle Pitts had been recruiting Cousins ​​for about two weeks. Has there been any investigation into whether Pitts did this at the behest or with the knowledge of the Falcons?”

A: “For 4-5 we looked into it, but there was no indication that the club played a role in those discussions.”

The league also added commentary on our comparison to the Chiefs’ punishment for talking to receiver Jeremy Maclin during the negotiating window in 2015 and the Dolphins’ punishment in 2022 for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.

“Their Chiefs or Dolphins compensation is not fair,” the league said. “In both cases, there was direct contact from club executives with the individual player prior to the negotiation phase to get the player to sign with the club while he was still under contract with other clubs. (Jeremy) Maclin with the Eagles, with coach Andy Reid and GM John Dorsey being fined for their involvement along with picks. Tom Brady (when he was with the Patriots in 2019-20 and then with the Bucs during and after the 2021 season, with ownership being fined/suspended).”

The additional statement suggests that the league views tampering during the negotiation window differently. The league seems to be saying that tampering that occurs during the negotiation window is viewed as less serious than tampering that occurs before the negotiation window.

There are two problems with this. First, the anti-tampering policy does not contain any language supporting this view. Second, the league’s current comments on the Jeremy Maclin case contradict the league’s statement at the time the penalty was announced. The league’s press release states that the Chiefs’ improper contact with Maclin occurred “during the “negotiation window” 2015‘” – not until.

That’s exactly what happened here with three different players: Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner.

Some would say the league has lowered the bar for manipulation league-wide. A more accurate view might be that the league raises or lowers the bar on a case-by-case basis to justify the outcome it prefers in any given situation.

Some teams are hit harder than others. Some teams are investigated more aggressively than others. The inherent lack of consistency is one of the biggest problems for a league that resents being accused of making up the rules at will – while simultaneously reserving the right to make up the rules at will at any time.