The Atlanta Falcons have been stripped of a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft for violating the league’s rules regarding tampering in March prior to signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner.
The NFL, which announced the punishment on Thursday after months of investigation, also issued fines of $250,000 to the team and $50,000 to Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot.
The Falcons and Cousins agreed on a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed shortly after the league’s 52-hour legal tampering window opened on March 11 at the start of free agency for the new business year. Woerner agreed on a three-year deal for $12 million later that day, and Mooney agreed on a three-year deal for $39 million the following day.
However, the NFL didn’t penalize the Philadelphia Eagles after a similar investigation into the possibility of impermissible contact with running back Saquon Barkley, with the league saying it “did not discover sufficient evidence to support a finding that the anti-tampering policy was violated.”
It’s normal for teams and players to reach agreements quickly, and there were others who agreed to deals even before Cousins. However, the veteran quarterback’s comments at his introductory news conference with the Falcons raised questions that led to the NFL’s investigation.