The Atlanta Falcons made several big moves during the 2024 NFL offseason. However, it turns out that what they did was against the rules, as they have been found guilty of tampering after a lengthy investigation.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, the league has ruled that the Atlanta Falcons had improper contact with three of the free agents they signed this offseason. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, quarterback Kirk Cousins and tight end Charlie Woerner. The violations occurred during the two-day negotiating period before the 2024 league year got underway.
As punishment, the Atlanta Falcons will have to forfeit their original 2025 fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. A fine of $250,000 has been levied against the franchise, as well as a $50,000 fine for general manager Terry Fontenot.
Franchises can talk to the representatives of players during the two-day window, but cannot have contact with the players themselves. Based on what Schefter shared, the Atlanta Falcons presumably had contact with Mooney, Cousins and Woerner that violated the NFL’s rules.
The Philadelphia Eagles were also under investigation for potential tampering with running back Saquon Barkley. The former New York Giants star signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract in free agency with $26 million guaranteed. However, there was insufficient evidence to support that the anti-tampering policy was broken.
As a result, no punishment will be levied against the Eagles. However, given the punishment that was handed to the Atlanta Falcons, what is keeping franchises from tampering during the free agency period in the future?
The loss of a fifth-round pick and fines that amount to pennies for an NFL franchise and general manager doesn’t seem like a major deterrent. If the result is landing a key player in free agency, more teams could be willing to skirt the rules and accept that level of punishment.
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