The NFL is docking a 2025 fifth-round pick from the Atlanta Falcons as punishment for tampering violations involving quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Thursday morning.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot was fined $50,000 and the team was fined $250,000 as a result of the three tampering violations, which Pelissero said are considered “logistical/administrative” and did not involve contact outside of the negotiating period.
The NFL is docking the #Falcons a 2025 fifth-round pick for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy with Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner. The team is also being fined $250,000 and GM Terry Fontenot is being fined $50,000.
The violations are considered… pic.twitter.com/fa7cHnHXWu
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 13, 2024
Per Pelissero, the NFL released a statement that said the following:
“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.”
The Falcons lured Cousins away from the Minnesota Vikings by giving him a four-year, $180 million contract on Day 1 of free agency. Many assumed Atlanta would be docked a second- or third-round pick as punishment, so it’s a bit of a relief for the organization that it’s only a fifth-rounder.