Inside The Vikings

Schefter: 'Resolution Expected Soon' For Kirk Cousins Tampering Charges

It still seems unlikely that the Vikings will benefit from the Falcons' transgressions.

Will Ragatz

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes against the Bears
Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes against the Bears / Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
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Resolutions are expected soon in the NFL's investigation into alleged tampering violations by the Falcons and Eagles, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. The league has been looking into those two teams for potential improper involvement with free agents Kirk Cousins and Saquon Barkley, respectively. If a conclusion is reached this week, it is likely to involve draft picks and "is expected to be more severe for the Falcons," says Schefter.

Precedent exists for the NFL punishing teams with forfeited draft picks for tampering violations. In 2015, the Chiefs forfeited a future third-round pick and a future sixth for tampering with Jeremy Maclin. The Dolphins lost their 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third for multiple instances of tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton (Miami owner Stephen Ross was also fined $1.5 million). Last year, right before the first round of the draft began, the Eagles and Cardinals agreed to settle the Jonathan Gannon tampering situation by trading third-round picks: the Eagles got the 66th pick for the 94th pick and a 2024 fifth-rounder.

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio has repeatedly floated the idea of the NFL forcing the Falcons (No. 8) and Vikings (No. 11) to swap first-round picks as a result of the Cousins tampering investigation. Nothing can be ruled out, but there's been no indication that the Vikings stand to benefit from the Falcons' transgressions. It sounds like Atlanta will be punished, but it would be surprising if the Vikings gain something in this situation.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.