The NFL is investigating the Atlanta Falcons for tampering, primarily due to remarks Kirk Cousins made after signing with the team, although Cousins believes the investigation will reveal little.
During a press conference earlier this week, Cousins was asked about the tampering investigation involving the Falcons. He responded, “not a whole lot there,” and added, “The league’s still kind of going through that. So, I’ll let them do it. But there’s not a whole lot there,” as reported by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
However, Cousins might be overly optimistic. There is strong evidence suggesting Atlanta violated tampering rules before signing Cousins, especially since the 35-year-old admitted to direct contact with Falcons members before it was allowed. While it’s common for teams to engage with free agents before the official tampering window opens, it’s usually done under a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach within the league.
Cousins also revealed that Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts started recruiting him “weeks” before free agency began. Although the NFL often overlooks player-to-player tampering, Cousins’ candid comments triggered the investigation.
It would be surprising if the Falcons didn’t face disciplinary action for tampering. They are not the only team under investigation either.
