The National Football League (NFL) is currently reviewing whether the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles violated tampering policies during the recently opened legal tampering window, an official spokesman for the league confirmed on Thursday.

The Falcons raised eyebrows when they swiftly reached an agreement with four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins just moments after teams were allowed to start negotiations with unrestricted free agents on Monday. Similarly, the Eagles wasted no time in striking a deal with two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley as soon as the negotiation period commenced at 12 p.m. EDT.

The situation in Philadelphia received further attention when Penn State coach James Franklin claimed that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had spoken to Barkley and attempted to leverage the connection between the team and the Nittany Lions fan base. However, both the Eagles and Barkley have vehemently denied these allegations, with the running back explaining that the conversation Franklin referred to was actually mediated by his agent.

In Atlanta's case, Cousins himself expressed enthusiasm for joining the team, highlighting the quality of both the football personnel and the support staff. The Falcons, while unable to provide any additional information or comment due to the ongoing NFL review, issued a brief statement acknowledging the situation.

The Minnesota Vikings, Cousins' former team, have so far remained unaffected by the accusations. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stated that he is unaware of any communication from the league regarding the tampering investigation, reaffirming his focus on working on the team's roster.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, in an interview with NFL Network, suggested that Cousins' market value may have been influenced by conversations taking place at the league's scouting combine. O'Connell believes the combine provided an opportunity for teams, whether intended or not, to engage in discussions that affected player negotiations.

As the NFL continues its review, the outcome of these tampering allegations could have significant implications for both the Falcons and the Eagles. Violating the league's tampering policies may result in penalties such as fines, loss of draft picks, or even suspensions for personnel involved. The league will conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether any improper tampering occurred during the legal tampering window.

Stay tuned for further updates as the NFL examines these allegations and evaluates the potential consequences for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.