If you thought the NFL was going to slam the hammer down on the Atlanta Falcons for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy, you were sadly mistaken.
The NFL announced Thursday that it’s docking the Falcons a 2025 fifth-round pick for their actions. Additionally, the franchise received a $250,000 fine, and Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot was fined $50,000.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk blasted the NFL for this weak punishment.
“The NFL took only a fifth-round pick and imposed minimal fines on the Falcons for tampering with THREE DIFFERENT PLAYERS,” Florio said. “Message to league = tamper away.”
Most NFL fans agree with this take from Florio, which isn’t something we say often.
“Unserious penalty,” one fan said. “I’d run it back.”
“A tap on the wrist,” a second fan wrote. “Not even a slap.”
Another fan tweeted, “Law and Order in America is non existent. It’s all Mad Max Fury Road now.”
It’s hard to blame fans for feeling this way. Stripping the Falcons of a fifth-round pick isn’t exactly going to teach them a lesson.
The Falcons, meanwhile, said in a statement they’re “pleased” that the NFL’s review is complete. Well, of course they are.
“We are pleased this review is complete,” the Falcons said. “We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the NFL’s thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve.”
After seeing how the NFL handled this situation in Atlanta, it wouldn’t surprise us if teams intentionally violate the league’s anti-tampering policy in 2025.
Related: NFL Announces Punishment For Falcons For Kirk Cousins Signing