Kirk Cousins ​​addresses the manipulation investigation he initiated

The NFL is investigating the Atlanta Falcons for tampering, particularly over some comments Kirk Cousins ​​made after he signed with the team, but the quarterback seems to believe the investigation will shed very little light.

Cousins ​​was asked about the status of the tampering investigation against the Falcons at his press conference earlier this week. He claimed there was “not much there.”

“The league is still going through this,” Cousins ​​said, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “So I’ll let her do it. But there’s not much in it.”

That could be wishful thinking from Cousins. There’s no question that Atlanta violated tampering rules before signing Cousins. We know this because the 35-year-old admitted that he had direct contact with members of the Falcons organization before league rules would have allowed it. While it’s common for teams to recruit free agents before the legal tampering window opens, there’s a “don’t ask, don’t tell” mentality throughout the league.

Cousins ​​also admitted that Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts began recruiting “weeks” before free agency began. The NFL typically ignores player-to-player manipulation, but again, Cousins ​​spurred investigation by speaking so openly about it.

It would be a surprise if the Falcons didn’t face disciplinary action for tampering. They’re not the only team under investigation either.