By ROB MAADDIAP Pro Football Writer
The NFL is looking into whether the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles violated tampering rules during the legal tampering period, a league spokesman said Thursday.
The Falcons agreed to a contract with four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins shortly after teams were allowed to start discussing with unrestricted free agents on Monday.
The Eagles quickly made a deal with two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley soon after the negotiation period began at 12 p.m. EDT.
Penn State coach James Franklin informed a reporter that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman talked to Barkley and promoted the connection between the Eagles and Nittany Lions fan bases.
Teams can speak directly with agents during the 52-hour negotiating window, but can’t speak to the player unless he has no agent and represents himself.
The Eagles have rejected the allegations.
In Atlanta’s case, Cousins stated on Wednesday: “There’s great people here. 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.”
Cousins wasn’t allowed to speak to anyone before 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.
