In a recent development, the NFL has announced the disciplinary measures it will impose on the Atlanta Falcons for tampering with former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and tight end Charlie Woerner. The league has decided to take away a fifth-round pick from Atlanta in next year's draft. Additionally, the Falcons organization will have to pay a hefty fine of $250,000, while general manager Terry Fontenot will be fined $50,000, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Tampering, which involves making undue contact with a potential signee outside of the league's allowed windows, is considered a serious offense. In this case, Cousins' agent announced his deal with the Falcons just a few hours after the NFL's free agent negotiating window opened in March. During this window, players and their agents are permitted to speak with teams, but visiting them is strictly prohibited.

During Cousins' introductory news conference with Atlanta, he inadvertently mentioned individuals who seemed to be part of the Falcons organization, which raised the eyebrows of league officials. He remarked, "You look around and you think, 'Boy, there's great people here.' 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.'"

According to sources at the NFL Network, Cousins' contract with the Falcons is reportedly a four-year deal worth $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed. Cousins, who spent six seasons with the Vikings, led the team to the playoffs twice and won one postseason game. In a move to replace him, the Vikings signed former first-round pick Sam Darnold and selected J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in the April draft.

The punishment handed down by the NFL serves as a reminder to all teams that tampering is a violation of the league's rules and regulations. The Atlanta Falcons will now have to face the consequences of their actions, with a lost draft pick and significant financial penalties. It remains to be seen how this setback will impact the team's future endeavors and roster composition.