FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – After the Falcons acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner in free agency this March, the league opened an investigation to inquire about the Falcons violating the league's Anti-Tampering Policy. That investigation has reached its conclusion.
According to reports from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Falcons have lost their original 2025 fifth-round draft pick. They have also been fined $250,000 as an organization with an additional fine to general manager Terry Fontenot of $50,000.
Without a fifth-round pick in next year's draft, the Falcons will now have five draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
"While the policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period, and direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited," the NFL's statement read. "This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to those three players."
The Falcons organization released this statement in response to the league's final conclusion:
"We are pleased this review is complete. We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the NFL's thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve."
