SI

NFL Issues Rulings in Eagles, Falcons Tampering Investigations

One team was punished while another was vindicated.

Patrick Andres

Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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One NFL team received punishment Thursday morning after a tampering investigation, while one was successfully cleared of all charges.

The Philadelphia Eagles will not face punishment related to their signing of running back Saquon Barkley on March 11, the NFL announced Thursday. However, the Atlanta Falcons will face punishment for improper contact with three free agents this offseason.

"After a thorough review of the Philadelphia Eagles' signing of Saquon Barkley, the NFL today informed the club that the investigation did not discover sufficient evidence to support a finding that the anti-tampering policy was violated," the NFL said in a statement via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

That was not the case for the Falcons, whose contact with quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner was ruled improper. Atlanta will forfeit a fifth-round pick and pay a $250,000 fine, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, while general manager Terry Fontenot will pay a $50,000 fine.

Interestingly enough, the Eagles and Falcons play each other Sept. 16.

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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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