The NFL was investigating the Eagles’ signing of Saquon Barkley after Penn State coach James Franklin implied that Barkley had spoken directly to general manager Howie Roseman before the permitted window. The Eagles and Barkley both said that the contact was through Barkley’s agent, which is allowed.
Chris Szagola | AP photo
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PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles will not face discipline for potential tampering in the negotiation process before they signed free-agent running back Saquon Barkley.
In a statement issued Thursday morning, the NFL said it informed the Eagles that its investigation did not yield “sufficient evidence to support a finding that the anti-tampering policy was violated.”
Barkley, 27, agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth up to $37.75 million with the Eagles on March 11, the first day of the negotiating period before the start of free agency. During that window, teams are not permitted to communicate directly with prospective unrestricted free agents and must instead conduct conversations with their agents.
The following day during a news conference, Penn State coach James Franklin implied that Barkley had a direct conversation with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, which would have been a violation of NFL rules.
“He said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him … not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that, but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan bases as well,” Franklin said.
After Barkley signed with the team, he said in his introductory news conference that Franklin had “misinterpreted” the details of the contact between the two camps.
“The truth was, the sales pitch to Penn State, how many Penn State fans are Philadelphia Eagles fans, but that was through my agent [Ed Berry],” Barkley said. “My agent told me that.”
During the investigation, the NFL said that it reviewed phone logs, text messages, and additional documents related to the Eagles’ free-agency strategy. The league also conducted interviews with various relevant parties, including Roseman, Barkley, Franklin, and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni.
The league added that if new evidence emerges, it could reopen the investigation.
FALCONS DISCIPLINED
(AP) — The Atlanta Falcons were stripped of a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft on Thursday for violating the NFL’s anti-tampering rules prior to signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner in free agency in March.
The NFL also fined the team $250,000, while general manager Terry Fontenot has been fined $50,000.
The Falcons and Cousins agreed on a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed shortly after the league’s 52-hour legal tampering window opened on March 11. Woerner agreed on a $12 million, three-year deal later that day and Mooney agreed on a $39 million, three-year deal a day later.
It’s normal for teams and players to reach agreements quickly and there were other players who agreed to deals even before Cousins. But Cousins’ comments at his introductory news conference raised questions that led to the NFL’s investigation.
Cousins, who is returning from a torn right Achilles tendon that ended his 2023 season after eight games, indicated he spoke to the team’s medical staff before they were permitted to have contact.
“There’s great people here,” Cousins said. “And it’s not just the football team. I mean, I’m looking at the support staff. Meeting — calling, yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of PR. I’m thinking, we got good people here. And that’s exciting to be a part of.”
Teams are allowed to talk directly with agents — but not the players — during that two-day negotiation period unless the player represents himself.
“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, any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited,” the league said in a statement. “This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”
The league has cracked down on tampering in the past with the Miami Dolphins receiving the most severe penalty in 2022.
The Dolphins forfeited a first-round pick and a third-round selection for tampering with Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross also received a suspension and was fined $1.5 million and executive Bruce Beal was fined $500,000.
In 2016, the Kansas City Chiefs forfeited third and sixth-round picks for tampering with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. The team was also fined $250,000 while coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000, and then-general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000.
The New York Jets were fined $100,000 in 2015 for tampering with New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis before signing him.