Falcons expected to receive the worst of NFL’s tampering punishment

The NFL hasn’t forgot about the allegations levied against the Atlanta Falcons for tampering with quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Philadelphia Eagles with running back Saquon Barkley.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday the league’s investigation into the matter could reach an end as early as this week with the Falcons expected to see the worst of it.

“Sources believe the discipline, which is likely to involve draft picks, is expected to be more severe for the Falcons,” Schefter wrote.

The Falcons’ potential punishment is self-inflicted. Cousins himself spilled the beans during his introductory news conference that he spoke to the team’s head of public relations and head athletic trainer prior to officially signing with the team, which isn’t allowed during the NFL’s legal tampering window.

Penn State head coach James Franklin seems like the guy to blame for getting the Eagles in hot water. Franklin implied back in mid-March that Philly violated the NFL’s tampering policy when general manager Howie Roseman spoke directly to Barkley during the legal tampering window prior to the start of free agency, which isn’t permitted.

It's not known how severe the punishment for either team will be, but Schefter pointed to two recent examples as possible benchmarks.

The Miami Dolphins were forced to forfeit a first-round pick in 2023 and a third-round pick in 2024 for tampering with retired quarterback Tom Brady and now Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Team owner Stephen Ross was also fined $1.5 million and vice chairman Bruce Beal was fined $500,000.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost their third-round pick in 2016 and a sixth-rounder in 2017 for tampering with former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. The team was also fined $250,000, head coach Andy Reid was fined $75K and then-general manager Jon Dorsey was fined $25K.