Per multiple reports, the NFL is set to investigate whether the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles broke any rules early this offseason in trying to prematurely recruit players before the start of the free agency negotiation period on Monday. They could face a steep punishment.
Penn State hurt the Philadelphia Eagles’ case
As previously discussed on GH, Penn State head coach James Franklin appeared to tip off the league that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman contacted Saquon Barkley before Monday to use Penn State as a part of Philadelphia’s sales pitch to the former Nittany Lions star.
Cousins admitted Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts tried to recruit him weeks ago.
The NFL is looking into Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons too
Per the NFL.com, the league is investigating potential tampering by the Eagles and Falcons:
The league is looking into potential tampering by the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons prior to the start of free agency as part of its standard review process, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported.
The reviews focus on two specific deals from this week: Kirk Cousins‘ signing with Atlanta, and Saquon Barkley‘s move to Philadelphia, with public comments related to each agreement drawing additional attention, per Pelissero.
The rules on tampering are vague and complex, and they are not easily enforceable. Most reporters joke about how tampering is evident in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine every February. Players are often petitioning possible acquisitions on X and other social media platforms during and after seasons.
The Falcons and Eagles could lose precious draft capital
However, the league has punished teams for tampering before. Per Joe Nelson with Sports Illustrated, various punishments in the past have ranged from fines to losing draft picks:
“In 2016 the Chiefs were docked a third-round pick for talking to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin during the legal negotiating period. In 2015, the Jets were fined $100,000 for tampering with Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis. In 2022, the Dolphins were fined and had to give up first- and third-round draft picks for tampering with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Saints head coach Sean Payton.”
Teams will have to learn from Cousins and the Eagles’ mistakes when discussing how their respective signings came to be. Everyone knew Barkley and Cousins were courted to Philadelphia and Atlantic before Monday. But no one can say that out loud.
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