Chiefs to forfeit two draft picks for violating tampering policy

The Kansas City Chiefs will forfeit two draft picks for violating the NFL’s tampering policy.

The Kansas City Chiefs will forfeit their 2016 third-round pick and 2017 sixth-round pick for violating the NFL’s tampering policy, the league announced Wednesday.

Kansas city will be fined $250,000 as an organization, coach Andy Reid will be fined $75,000 and general manager John Dorsey will be fined $25,000.

The Chiefs had direct contact with receiver Jeremy Maclin during last year’s free-agency negotiating period, which is prohibited by the league. Teams are only allowed to speak with agents during the negotiating period. 

Maclin was technically under contract with the Philadelphia Eagles when his deal with the Chiefs was negotiated. Maclin signed a five-year deal with $22.5 guaranteed with the Chiefs last off-season.

Chiefs Chairman & CEO Clark Hunt issued the following statement:

“Today we were informed by the National Football League that our club will be disciplined for an infraction during the 2015 free agency negotiating period. While we respect Commissioner Goodell and the process, we believe that the penalties proposed in this case are inconsistent with discipline enforced in similar matters - particularly given the league's inconsistent communication of its policies on contact with potential free agents. As an organization, we take great care to conduct ourselves with integrity and operate within the guidelines of the NFL. We have been fully cooperative and transparent with the league in this matter, and we are disappointed with the league's decision. I want to make it clear that I fully support the leadership of both Coach Reid and John Dorsey. We will continue to explore our options under the appeal process.”

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The Chiefs can appeal the decision within five days.