The Falcons and Kirk Cousins have been under investigation for months due to alleged tampering before free agency, and new information has finally been revealed.
According to Adam Schefter, “A resolution in the alleged free agent tampering cases of the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles is likely to come this week, per league sources.”
There really is no arguing that the Falcons and Cousins violated tampering rules. The veteran quarterback basically admitted to tampering without coming out and saying it.
“There’s great people here,” Cousins said during his introductory press conference. “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.”
The Falcons very clearly broke league rules, but we also don’t have to pretend that it’s the reason Cousins came to Atlanta instead of Minnesota. The Falcons were willing to give more years and pay more in guarantees and average annual value.
With that being said, a veteran like Cousins just blatantly admitting is insane. The Falcons can’t expect to get away with a slap on the wrist; in fact, Schefter added in his report that discipline is expected to be more severe for Atlanta than Philadelphia.
“One league source indicated that the Falcons’ alleged transgressions are considered more significant, and the discipline is expected to be more severe for Atlanta.”
Tampering is a hilarious concept because every club and every player does it. However, when the league is backed into a corner like this, they have no choice but to make an example out of the Falcons. I’d advise fans to prepare for the worst and hope for the best as we await the punishment.
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Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
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