Falcons stripped of draft pick, fined for violating NFL tampering rules with Kirk Cousins, others

The Atlanta Falcons’ offseason signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins is proving to be even more costly than his $180 million contract.

The NFL is taking a 2025 fifth-round draft pick away from the Falcons and fining them $250,000 after finding Atlanta violated the league’s anti-tampering rules with the free-agent signings of Cousins and two others, the league announced Thursday.

The violations relate to the Falcons discussing “travel arrangements or other logistical matters” with Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner before they were permitted to do so, according to an NFL statement.

NFL free agency begins every year with a two-day “legal tampering period,” during which teams can negotiate contracts with players’ representatives but cannot finalize contracts.

“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,” the NFL said in Thursday’s announcement.

The NFL is fining general manager Terry Fontenot $50,000 as well.

“We are pleased this review is compete,” the Falcons said in a statement. “We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the league’s thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve.”

On Thursday, the NFL also cleared the Philadelphia Eagles of tampering with Saquon Barkley before signing the star running back away from the Giants.

Atlanta gave Cousins, 35, a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed, hoping he can elevate an offense featuring playmakers in running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.

The Falcons went 7-10 last season and finished third in the NFC South.

Less than two months after the Falcons signed Cousins, they selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington with the No. 8 overall pick in a major draft-day surprise. Penix this season is expected to back up Cousins, who is coming off of a season-ending Achilles tear with the Minnesota Vikings.

Thursday’s resolution was far less severe than the 2022 penalty handed down to the Miami Dolphins, who were found to have made illegal contact with Tom Brady and Sean Payton. The NFL docked the Dolphins picks in the first and third rounds.