The Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons have both come under scrutiny as the NFL is investigating them over recent free-agent signings.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the league is trying to determine whether the teams are guilty of tampering before the free agency negotiating period began following the acquisitions of running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins likely put the league on notice when he told reporters he met with the Falcons’ head athletic trainer directly before he was permitted to do so.
Also Read: Saquon Barkley Clapped Back At Tiki Barber For Saying He’s “Dead to Us” After Signing With Eagles
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio suggested the Falcons could forfeit a draft pick if found guilty of tampering.
As for the Eagles and their move for Barkley, the player’s former coach, Pen State HC James Franklin, told a press conference that Eagles GM Howie Roseman made a sales pitch to the RB over the phone.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
ESPN’s Tim McManus later reported that the Eagles denied Roseman and Barkley never spoke directly, with all talks going through his agent.
Florio reckons that illegal tampering is typical among NFL teams as there’s no other explanation for deals happening as quickly as they do. However, it’s important not to leave a paper trail or say anything that will draw attention from the NFL.
For now, it appears that both teams could be made to surrender late picks should the league determine that they made impermissible contact with the players in question.
