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Also on Thursday, the NFL informed the
Philadelphia Eagles that it did not discover sufficient evidence
to support a finding that the team violated the league's
anti-tampering policy.
The NFL was looking into the Eagles' pursuit of free-agent
running back Saquon Barkley. The Penn State product inked a
three-year, $37.75 million contract that includes $26 million
guaranteed at the signing.
Cousins agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100
million guaranteed shortly after the opening of the league's
legal tampering window.
"While the policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all
aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of
any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day
negotiating period, any direct contact between the player and an
employee or representative of the club is prohibited," the
league said in a statement to the Falcons. "This includes
discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters,
which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these
three players."
The Falcons released the following statement in response to
league's conclusion:
"We are pleased this review is complete. We cooperated fully
with the league and its review, and appreciate the NFL's
thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we
operate and look for ways to improve."
As for clearing the Eagles, the league issued the following
statement:
"In coming to this conclusion, the league reviewed phone logs,
text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia's free
agent strategy and decision to sign Barkley."
The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick in the 2023
NFL Draft and a third-round selection in 2024 for tampering with
quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton.
The Kansas City Chiefs lost their third-round pick in the 2016
NFL Draft and a sixth-round selection in 2017 for tampering with
wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in 2015.
The Dolphins and Chiefs also were fined as part of their
respective punishments.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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