Kirk Cousins (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons tampering case against then-Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has finally come to an end, and the NFC South team will pay heavily for it.

It appears that the league found wrongdoing on Atlanta’s part.

The NFL levied penalties against the Falcons, docking them a fifth-round pick and imposing hundreds of thousands in fines. The league stated that the Falcons violated the league’s anti-tampering policy with not only Kirk Cousins but also Darnell Mooney and Charlie Werner.

In addition to the draft pick, the team was fined $250,000, and general manager Terry Fontenot was fined $50,000.

“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,” wrote Pelissero for NFL Network. “This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”

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This entire investigation started after Kirk Cousins seemingly admitted that the Atlanta Falcons had direct contact with him prior to the official start of free agency.

This could’ve been a lot worse since the Falcons were said to have tampered with three players and seems extremely low on the punishment side and will likely not deter other teams from doing it in the future.

Atlanta Falcons Lured Kirk Cousins Away From Minnesota & Still Took A QB In The First Round

Quarterback Kirk Cousins (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons lured Cousins away from the Minnesota Vikings by giving him a four-year, $180 million contract on Day 1 of free agency, and many thought he would be their quarterback of the future despite his advanced age.

The Atlanta Falcons pulled off a major stunner at the NFL Draft when they selected Michael Penix Jr. as the future and didn’t bother to tell Cousins they were doing so. The pick came just weeks after they signed Cousins.

Kirk Cousins’ Wife, Julie, Reveals The Only One Not Happy With Her Husbands Decision To Join The Atlanta Falcons

US american football quarterback Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins (L) and his wife Julie Cousins arrive for the premiere of Netflix’s docuseries “Quarterback” at the Tudum Theatre in Los Angeles, on July 11, 2023. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Kirk Cousins is set to be the new starting quarterback in Atlanta, having agreed to a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons on Tuesday.

Cousins, who has a knack for securing lucrative contracts, is getting a $50 million signing bonus, as well as $100 million in guaranteed money, from the Falcons.

He and his wife Julie are set for a move, having lived in Minnesota for the last six years, and his other half seems to be very pleased with the deal.

“Packing up to head south… great time to play some instruments,” she said, via the New York Post. “Atlanta here we come!”

She later shared a photo of their dog, claiming “This guy is the only one not excited about moving down south!”

“We came to Minnesota 6 years ago when Cooper was just 6 month old and Turner came shortly after!!” Julie also posted to Instagram. “Time flies when you’re having fun! I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped us build our life in Minnesota over the past 6 years. We have the most beautiful memories we will cherish forever!

Of course, Julie is a Georgia native, born in Alpharetta, and is naturally excited to be heading back home.

The Vikings Will Miss Cousins And His Family

The Vikings were hoping to retain the QB’s services but are resigned to losing him.

“Kirk holds a special place in Vikings history, and we appreciate his leadership and contributions to the team and the Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons,” GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “We wish him; his wife, Julie; and their children all the best.”

The team is signing Sam Darnold as his replacement.