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The Atlanta Falcons were stripped of a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft on Thursday for violating the NFL’s anti-tampering rules prior to signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner.
In addition to losing the draft pick, the Falcons were fined $250,000 and general manager Terry Fontenot was fined $50,000.
The Falcons and Cousins agreed on a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed shortly after the league’s 52-hour legal tampering window opened in March.
It’s normal for teams and players to reach agreements quickly, and there were other players who agreed to deals even before Cousins. But Cousins’ comments at his introductory news conference raised questions that led to the NFL’s investigation.
Cousins, who is returning from a torn right Achilles tendon that ended his 2023 season after eight games, indicated that he spoke to the team’s medical staff before they were permitted to have contact.
“There’s great people here,” Cousins said. “And it’s not just the football team. I mean, I’m looking at the support staff. Meeting — calling, yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of PR. I’m thinking, we got good people here. And that’s exciting to be a part of.”
Teams are allowed to talk directly with agents — but not the players — during that two-day negotiation period unless the player represents himself.
“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 NFL said in a statement. “This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”
The Falcons also signed Mooney and Woerner at the start of free agency. Mooney…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/falcons-docked-5th-round-pick-tampering-eagles-cleared-after-investigation
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Publish date : 2024-06-13 15:55:44
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