'We Did the Right Thing!' Atlanta Falcons Deny Kirk Cousins Tampering Claims

Jon Alfano | Mar 26, 2024

Feb 5, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons solved their quarterback woes by signging Kirk Cousins in free agency, but they invoked the NFL's wrath in doing so.

In his introductory press conference, Cousins indicated that he had contact with Atlanta's head trainer before the new league year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. To be clear, teams could speak with players' agents once the legal tampering period began on March 11, but could not speak with the players themselves (unless they represent themselves).

After that press conference, the NFL launched an official investigation into the matter, meaning possible tampering charges could be coming the Falcons' way.

Feb 5, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

As that investigation looms, Falcons coach Raheem Morris firmly believes his team will be proven innocent once the dust settles.

"I'm not allowed to really discuss it right now while it's under review, but I got a lot of confidence in our people that we did the right thing," Morris said Tuesday at the NFL's annual meeting.

Owner Arthur Blank expressed a similar sentiment, although he added that he will accept the results of the investigation no matter what they hold.

"The tampering deal, we obviously don't believe we tampered, and we shared all the information with the league," Blank said Monday, per ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "And they'll review the process and the facts and they are in the middle of doing that, and whatever the result is, we'll deal with it."

Tampering charges are quite rare in the NFL.

The most-notable case in recent memory came in 2022, when the Miami Dolphins found to have "impermissable communications" with quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. After the Dolphins were found guilty, they lost a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick. Owner Stephen Ross was also fined $1.5 million suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season, while vice chairman Bruce Beal was fined $500,000 and banned from league meetings for the rest of the league year.

In 2016, the Kansas City Chiefs were also found to have tampered with receiver Jeremy Maclin before the former Philadelphia Eagle officially hit free agency. Kansas City lost a 2016 third-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick. The Chiefs were also fined $250,000, with coach Andy Reid being fined an additional $75,000 and then-general manager John Dorsey fined $25,000.

Until the investigation is complete, the Falcons will continue to defend themselves and try to avoid a similar penalty.