June 13, 2024   2 MIN READ

All Clear

NFL Ends Eagles' Tampering Investigation

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In the end, the Philadelphia Eagles were unpunished following a lengthy investigation of their top free agent acquisition.

The NFL announced that the team did not violate anti-tampering policies prior to the signing of Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley.

 

Saquon Barkley

ITB Photo: The NFL finds no evidence of illegal tampering between RB Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles.

An investigation was opened in March after Barkley’s former head coach at Penn State, James Franklin, made a comment implying direct contact between the running back and Eagles personnel chief Howie Roseman during a period in which only agents were allowed to speak to the team.

Barkley, the Eagles, and later Franklin all contended that all conversations at the time were done through the agent.

Months later, the NFL could not find any evidence otherwise, putting to rest any sort of controversy behind an already contentious signing that saw the 27-year-old bold the New York Giants for their NFC East rival.

While the Eagles were cleared of any wrongdoing, the league could not say the same for the Atlanta Falcons who were also being investigated for similar possible direct contact with their free agent signing of QB Kirk Cousins.

The Falcons have been fined $250,000 and will lose a 2025 fifth round draft pick as a result of the NFL’s findings, though their punishment is ultimately not related to illegal contact with free agents.

 

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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