NFL rules on tampering cases: Eagles cleared, but Falcons will give up 2025 5th-round pick

After three months of investigation, the NFL resolved the free-agent tampering cases of the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.

The league announced Thursday that its investigation found the Eagles did not have contact with then-free-agent running back Saquon Barkley during the 52-hour legal tampering period prior to the start of free agency, during which teams can speak to only agents and not directly to players. After reviewing text messages, emails and other documents related to the signing, and interviewing of Barkley, general manager Howie Roseman, head coach Nick Sirianni and Penn State head coach James Franklin, the NFL found no evidence the team violated the anti-tampering policy.

The league reserves the right to reopen the investigation if new evidence is discovered.

The Falcons, however, were not cleared.

The league found they had improper contact with Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner during the 52-hour legal tampering period. Atlanta will forfeit its 2025 fifth-round draft pick and pay a team fine of $250,000, while general manager Terry Fontenot will pay a fine of $50,000.

Eagles cleared after Barkley misunderstanding

These incidents of possible illegal contact came to light in the days after each player signed their contract. The NFL began its investigation into the Eagles after Franklin, Barkley’s former coach at Penn State, commented on a conversation he had with Barkley about the signing. According to Franklin, Barkley told him Penn State was part of Roseman’s pitch, implying that Barkley heard the pitch first-hand. Here’s Franklin’s exact quote:

“For him now to come back and be able to play within the state in Philadelphia, [Barkley] said that was one of the first things that Howie [Roseman] said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him,” Franklin said. “Not only the Philadelphia Eagles but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan bases as well.”

Franklin later said the comment was misinterpreted,…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-06-13 14:55:17

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