Over the weekend, a report surfaced that a resolution to the Falcons tampering case surrounding Kirk Cousins is expected this week.
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.”
Cousins and Atlanta are under investigation because the veteran practically volunteered the proof that the two sides tampered. There’s really no arguing the fact that it happened when he practically admitted as much.
“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.”
Schefter also added that the expectation is the Falcons will be disciplined in a more severe manner than the Eagles, which makes sense given the nature of quarterbacks in this league.
“One league source indicated that the Falcons’ alleged transgressions are considered more significant, and the discipline is expected to be more severe for Atlanta.”
I hope someone in the league offices has a sense of awareness. The Falcons very clearly broke league rules; I’m not arguing that, 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. That’s the reason why Kirk Cousins is the Falcons quarterback. Still, punishment has to come, so what can we expect?
The precedent hasn’t exactly been set for a situation like this. The closest is the Dolphins tampering with Tom Brady from 2019 to 2022, which cost Miami their first-round pick in 2023 and third-rounder in 2024, along with a $1.5 million fine for owner Stephen Ross and vice chairman $500,000.
That seems a bit like overkill, but the Falcons deserve more than the Chiefs’ punishment for tampering with Jeremy Maclin in 2015. Kansas City was docked their 2016 third-round pick and a 2017 sixth-rounder to go along with some fines.
The Falcons are looking down Roger Goodell’s barrel, and it seems the hammer could come down. The hope is that Atlanta’s first-round picks will remain untouched. There’s reason to believe that will happen.
The Dolphins and Ross were actively recruiting Tom Brady while he was on a different team; however, the Falcons, as far as we know, didn’t do that with Kirk Cousins. A second-round pick seems fair to go with a hefty fine and a Day 3 draft pick.
What do you think is fair punishment for the Falcons tampering with Kirk Cousins?
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Photographer: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire
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