Eagles, Falcons attract NFL's attention with tampering allegations

The Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons could soon be in some hot water over how and when they allegedly communicated with players during the free-agency negotiating window that opened this past Monday. 

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported on Thursday afternoon that the NFL "is looking into potential tampering by the Eagles and the Falcons" regarding Philadelphia's signing of former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Atlanta's acquisition of former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. 

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin raised eyebrows when he recently implied that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman violated NFL rules by speaking directly with Barkley during the legal tampering portion of free agency but before the new league year began on Wednesday afternoon. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk subsequently reported that the Eagles denied any wrongdoing and insisted "that all player recruiting is facilitated through the player’s agent." 

The Cousins matter began earlier this month when Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell strongly hinted that other teams were using the NFL Scouting Combine as "an opportunity — even whether they're supposed to be or not — to maybe have some conversations" with Cousins when his rights were still attached to Minnesota. It was later reported Cousins was possibly looking at homes and schools in the Atlanta area before the negotiating window opened. His wife grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The situation took a new and interesting turn during Cousins' introductory news conference with the Falcons on Wednesday when he mentioned that he was first recruited by Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts "a few weeks" ago. Florio mentioned on Wednesday evening that Pitts' actions would be considered tampering "if he did it with the knowledge of or at the behest of the team." 

Additionally, Florio reported on Thursday afternoon that he learned the Vikings "were surprised...by Cousins' admission that he spoke with the Falcons' head athletic trainer on Tuesday." Cousins suffered a torn Achilles on Oct. 29 and turns 36 years old this coming August, so it makes sense the Falcons would've wanted medical information related to his recovery before agreeing to sign him to a four-year contract worth up to $180M with $100M guaranteed.

Per ESPN, the Kansas City Chiefs were previously fined and docked a 2016 third-round draft pick and a sixth-round choice in 2017 for having improper contact with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin before the start of the free-agent signing period in 2015. The Eagles may escape such a punishment, but Florio said on Thursday that "it looks like the Falcons committed multiple violations of the tampering rules." 

Cousins admitted on Wednesday that he recruited former Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney to sign with Atlanta. Mooney reportedly agreed to terms with the Falcons on Tuesday.