The Philadelphia Eagles may be punished by the NFL this week for cheating after signing former Giants player Saquon Barkley in free agency. According to ESPN.
Any penalties would likely not benefit the Giants, as other teams have had draft picks stripped of them for similar violations in the past.
In addition to the Eagles’ pursuit of Barkley, the Atlanta Falcons are also facing disciplinary action from the league over their dealings with quarterback Kirk Cousins’ contract.
Atlanta is also expected to face a larger penalty for discretionary powers regarding Cousins’ four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed than the Eagles for potentially rigging Barkley’s three-year, $37.75 million contract, according to reports.
Both investigations focus on whether the teams had contact before the player was signed.
The Falcons may also have to deal with the fallout from Cousins being unhappy with Atlanta’s decision to draft another quarterback, Michael Pennis Jr., with the eighth overall pick out of the University of Washington, shortly after acquiring the veteran quarterback.
The Miami Dolphins previously had to give up a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick after repeatedly meddling with Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton from 2019-2022.
Additionally, team owner Stephen Ross was fined $1.5 million and vice chairman and limited partner Bruce Beal was fined $500,000.
