The NFL is reviewing whether the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles violated tampering policies during the legal tampering window, a league spokesman said Thursday.
The Falcons agreed to a contract with four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins shortly after teams were permitted to start negotiating with unrestricted free agents on Monday.
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The Eagles quickly struck a deal with two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley soon after the negotiation period opened at 12 p.m. EDT.
Penn State coach James Franklin told a reporter that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman spoke to Barkley and pitched him on the connection between the Eagles and Nittany Lions fan bases.
Teams are permitted to talk directly with agents during the 52-hour negotiating window, but canât speak to the player unless he has no agent and represents himself.
The Eagles have denied the claims and Barkley said Franklin misinterpreted their conversation.
âThat was through my agent and my agent told me that,â Barkley said.
In Atlantaâs case, Cousins said Wednesday: âThereâs great people here. And itâs not just the football team. I mean, Iâm looking at the support staff. Meeting â calling, yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of PR Iâm thinking, we got good people here. And thatâs exciting to be a part of.â
Cousins wasnât permitted to speak to anyone before 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.
âDue to the NFLâs review, we are unable to provide information or have additional comment," the Falcons said in a statement.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked if heâs had any communication with the league on the tampering investigation.
âThatâs kind of above our fray there," Adofo-Mensah said Thursday. "Iâve just been busy trying to work on the roster. Iâm not aware of any of that stuff.â
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell suggested last week in an interview with NFL Network that the market for Cousins grew at the league's scouting combine.
âI think the combine just kind of gave everybody else an opportunity â even whether theyâre supposed to be or not â to maybe have some conversations," O'Connell said.
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AP Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell contributed.
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