An NFL investigation determined that the Falcons violated the league's tampering policy during its pursuit of then-free agent quarterback as well as wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner. On Thursday, the league announced that Atlanta would lose a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft. Cousins agreed to the $180 million deal shortly after the NFL's 52-hour legal tampering window opened on March 11. Teams are permitted to have direct contact with player's agents, but not the players themselves, during the two-day negotiation period. The league has cracked down on tampering in the past, with the Miami Dolphins receiving the most severe penalty in 2022.

Source: Fox News June 14, 2024 09:47 UTC