The Atlanta Falcons stand the risk of losing a draft pick following their acquisition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons have handed out the biggest contract of free agency so far, signing the QB to a four-year deal worth $180 million. However, they have also been accused of breaking an NFL rule in the wake of the significant roster move.
Cousins seemed to admit that the team tampered illegally as there was direct contact between him and certain staffers before the new league year began.
Speaking to reporters in his introductory press conference this week, the QB disclosed having spoken to the Falcons’ head trainer during the negotiating period, which amounts to tampering.
“There’s great people here,” he said. “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 P.R. I’m thinking, we got good people here. And that’s exciting to be a part of.”
BREAKING: Kirk Cousins admitted to having direct contact with the #Falcons
training staff during the negotiating period which is TAMPERING, per NBC.Atlanta could lose a draft selection over this after a league investigation. pic.twitter.com/MCX2E8h44m
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 14, 2024
As per league rules, players are not permitted to speak directly to members of a franchise outside of the legal operating period, though agents are free to conduct negotiations. Of course, it happens all the time, yet to admit such is very rare.
The Falcons could be punished as a result, with ProFootballTalk pointing out that the Kansas City Chiefs lost a third-round pick for speaking directly to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin during the legal tampering period eight years ago.
Should the NFL look into this, the NFC South club could find themselves short of a pick heading into the draft.
