The NFL finally issued rulings in the accompanying tampering cases that arose from the pre-2024 free agency negotiating window. The league’s formal announcements contain a key difference.
The statement issued on the question of whether the Eagles tampered with Giants running back Saquon Barkley identifies the steps taken to investigate the situation. In contrast, the statement issued on the question of whether the Falcons handled Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney and/or 49ers tight end Charlie Woerner, says nothing about the research process.
From the statement about the Eagles: “To reach this conclusion, the league reviewed phone records, text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia’s free agency strategy and the decision to sign Barkley. The NFL also interviewed several members of the organization, including Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni, as well as Barkley and Penn State head coach James Franklin.”
The statement about the Falcons only says that the team acknowledged that “Discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters.“It happened with all three players.
So, did the Falcons admit to having had direct conversations with players about travel arrangements or other logistical matters? Or did the NFL (as in the case of the Eagles) reach that conclusion after reviewing phone records, text messages and other documents related to the Falcons’ free agency strategy? Did they interview (as in the case of the Eagles) the players, coach Raheem Morris, general manager Terry Fontenot or others?
From the beginning of the investigation, we have made it clear that the quality of the findings will depend on the thoroughness of the investigation. If the Falcons admitted to talking to players about travel arrangements, did that put an end to the matter? Or did the league use Cousins’ various confessions as a starting point for a #Deflategate-style scorched-earth chase against Ted Wells?
We are in the process of finding out what was done and what was not done. Stay tuned.