Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins ​​tampering penalties ‘probable’ revealed this week

The NFL’s investigation into the Atlanta Falcons for tampering with quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​in free agency is expected to end soon.

The Philadelphia Eagles, accused of tampering with running back Saquon Barkley, are also about to learn their fate according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“A resolution in the alleged free agent tampering cases is expected to come this week,” Schefter wrote.

The Falcons’ allegations of tampering came after Cousins, who was speaking at his introductory news conference March 13 after signing his contract on the first official day of free agency, said he had contact with Atlanta’s head athletic trainer the day before.

From March 11-12, the legal negotiation period, teams are allowed to speak with players’ agents, but there can be no formal contact between the player and team officials before 4 p.m. on the start day of free agency, March 13. This year.

Cousins ​​unwittingly admitted to breaking this rule. Now, the Falcons may have to pay a price tag on top of Cousins’ four-year, $180 million contract.

“A league source indicated that the Falcons’ alleged transgressions are considered more significant and that discipline should be harsher for Atlanta,” Schefter continued. “In the past, the league has taken tampering seriously and has disciplined teams accordingly.”

In 2022, the Miami Dolphins were punished for tampering with quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton three times between 2019 and 2022.

The NFL took Miami’s 2023 first-round pick and 2024 third-round pick while fining owner Stephen Ross $1.5 million and fining VP/partner $500,000 sponsor Bruce Beal.

The Kansas City Chiefs were found guilty of tampering with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in 2015 and lost their 2016 third-round pick and 2017 sixth-round pick.

Kansas City was fined $250,000, while head coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey were forced to pay $75,000 and $25,000, respectively.

What will the price be for Atlanta? Only time will tell, but time seems to be flying by.