The NFL is currently reviewing whether the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles may have violated tampering policies during the legal tampering window, according to a league spokesman on Thursday.
The Falcons wasted no time in securing a deal with Kirk Cousins, a highly acclaimed four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. As soon as teams were given the green light to begin negotiations with unrestricted free agents on Monday, the Falcons swiftly agreed to terms with Cousins.
The Eagles wasted no time and swiftly reached an agreement with Saquon Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, as soon as the negotiation period began at 12 p.m. EDT.
According to a reporter, James Franklin, the coach of Penn State, revealed that Howie Roseman, the general manager of the Eagles, personally spoke to Barkley. During the conversation, Roseman emphasized the strong connection between the Eagles and Nittany Lions fan bases.
During the 52-hour negotiating window, teams have the ability to communicate directly with agents. However, they are not allowed to engage in direct conversation with the player unless he is unrepresented by an agent and chooses to represent himself.
The Eagles have denied the claims, and Barkley clarified that Franklin misinterpreted their conversation.
According to Barkley, his agent informed him about that.
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Cousins expressed his enthusiasm for being a part of Atlanta during a recent interview. He emphasized that the team’s greatness extends beyond the football players themselves. Cousins noted the presence of excellent support staff, mentioning his positive interactions with the head athletic trainer and the head of PR. He found it exciting to be surrounded by such capable and dedicated individuals.
Cousins had to wait until 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday before being allowed to speak with anyone.
The Falcons stated in a response that they are unable to provide any information or make further comments due to the ongoing review conducted by the NFL.
During a recent interview, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was questioned about whether he has been in contact with the league regarding the ongoing tampering investigation.
Adofo-Mensah stated on Thursday that he is focused on working on the roster and is not aware of the mentioned details. He mentioned, “That’s kind of above our fray there. I’ve just been busy trying to work on the roster. I’m not aware of any of that stuff.”
In a recent interview with NFL Network, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell hinted that the demand for Cousins skyrocketed during the league’s scouting combine.
“I believe that the combine provided an opportunity for everyone to engage in conversations, whether they were expected to or not,” O’Connell expressed.
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