Falcons Receive Laughable Tampering Punishment from NFL

The NFL announced the Atlanta Falcons' punishment following a tampering investigation involving three players, though the punishment certainly doesn't seem large enough if the league is serious about curtailing the activity.

Atlanta was docked its 2025 fifth-round pick after the league determined the Falcons had prohibited contact with QB Kirk Cousins, WR Darnell Mooney, and TE Charlie Woerner.

Considering Cousins was the top QB available in free agency and ultimately signed with Atlanta, a fifth-round pick is hardly enough of a punishment.

Atlanta Falcons Docked 5th-Round Pick For Illegal Tampering

The organization will also pay a $250,000 fine while general manager Terry Fontenot was fined an additional $50,000.

In the end, I think everyone involved with the Falcons would've signed up for this punishment months ago if they knew it would land them Kirk Cousins. The NFL has long handed out punishments in inconsistent fashion, though this is still surprising given three players were involved in the violation.

Atlanta has had a curious offseason after drafting QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick despite Cousins' four-year deal. If the Falcons were willing to risk losing a draft pick to tamper with Cousins, why didn't they give him a courtesy warning they were taking Penix?

Not a lot about the entire process makes sense, from Atlanta's decision-makers to the NFL's. Regardless, the Panthers hope to rebound from last year's rough 2-15 finish.

Carolina split the season series with the Falcons last year, though a sweep in 2024-25 would go a long way in showing Dave Canales can turn this team around.

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