After an investigation, the NFL determined that the Atlanta Falcons did indeed have impermissible contact with three players before the start of the 2024 League Year, including Kirk Cousins. But fans are not at all pleased with the light punishment the team received as a result.
On Thursday morning, NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that the Atlanta Falcons will forfeit just a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft and face a fine as a result of the tampering.
“NFL ruled the Falcons had improper contact with prospective unrestricted free agents Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, and Charlie Woerner during the two-day negotiating period prior to the start of the 2024 League Year.
“Atlanta will forfeit its original fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and pay a fine of $250,000, while General Manager Terry Fontenot has been fined $50,000,” Schefter said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
NFL ruled the Falcons had improper contact with prospective unrestricted free agents Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, and Charlie Woerner during the two-day negotiating period prior to the start of the 2024 League Year.
Atlanta will forfeit its original fifth-round pick in the…— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 13, 2024
“While the policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period, any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited. This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players,” Schefter continued.
Needless to say, the NFL world was outraged at this punishment, believing it is not nearly strong enough.
Slap on the wrist.. basically nothing. https://t.co/I35fJTVWWi
— Ryan Rosko (@SkoSports) June 13, 2024
LOL. Every team should cheat. https://t.co/L3LshrXwPb
— Adam Johnson (@Mr_GCU) June 13, 2024
If you all you lose is a 5th round pick this encourages teams to cheat the system https://t.co/kCPOKyqBqa
— EA (@KOLD740) June 13, 2024
Just a 5th Round Pick? If that's the punishment that's been made to be the precedent, then more teams will definitely do it in the future.
The fines suck too obviously but they're billionaires, they'll be okay. https://t.co/N2qiqlK8BT
— Mohammed ☀️ (@mhesen09) June 13, 2024
Slap on the wrist. https://t.co/vcf92NjCqD
— Nik Athans (@NewEnglandNik) June 13, 2024
A 5th round pick?
That’s almost an incentive for teams to do this more moving forward.
They should have set an example (ie 1st or 2nd rounder) to ensure this doesn’t become the norm.
— 5DollarMan (@5dollarman) June 13, 2024
The Dolphins lost a 1st and a 3rd for improper contact with 1 player 🤦🏽♂️
— Zak🔥🐬 (@ThaCreekFreak) June 13, 2024
Just a 5th round pick????
— Last Take™ (@TheRealLastTake) June 13, 2024
Clearly, people are not happy.
