In an announcement made on Thursday, the National Football League (NFL) revealed that the Atlanta Falcons have been penalized for violating the league's tampering policy during their pursuit of quarterback Kirk Cousins, as well as wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner. The Falcons' four-year contract with Cousins, signed earlier this offseason, includes an estimated $100 million in guarantees.

As a result of the NFL investigation, the Falcons will lose a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft and will be fined $250,000. The league's findings determined that Atlanta engaged in direct contact with the players in violation of the tampering policy.

Cousins, who agreed to the $180 million deal shortly after the NFL's legal tampering window opened on March 11, made comments during his introductory news conference that drew attention and led to the investigation. The quarterback mentioned speaking to the team's medical staff before being allowed to have contact.

While it is common for NFL teams and players to agree to contracts during the legal tampering period, formal signing usually takes place once the free agency period officially begins. However, Cousins' remarks sparked the NFL's interest, prompting them to look into the Falcons' actions.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot has also been individually fined $50,000 for his involvement in the violation. The NFL stated that direct contact between players and team personnel is prohibited during the tampering period, except in rare cases when players represent themselves without employing an agent.

Meanwhile, the NFL cleared the Philadelphia Eagles of any wrongdoing in their pursuit of running back Saquon Barkley. The league's investigation did not find sufficient evidence to support a violation of the anti-tampering policy.

This penalty serves as a reminder of the NFL's strict stance on tampering, with previous instances resulting in severe penalties for other teams. In 2022, the Miami Dolphins faced the harshest penalty for tampering. The league's efforts to maintain fairness and integrity in player recruitment remain a top priority.