Eagles Did Not Tamper When Acquiring Saquon Barkley
via Philadelphia Eagles
The NFL announced today that the Eagles did not tamper when acquiring RB Saquon Barkley during the free agency period.
According to the official statement, first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL said that they investigated phone logs, text messages, and other documents related to the Eagles’ free agency strategy. The league also conducted multiple interviews with key parties, including General Manager Howie Roseman and Head Coach Nick Sirianni, to reach the conclusion that the Eagles did not tamper. The investigation failed to uncover sufficient evidence that the Eagles violated the league’s anti-tampering policy.
The investigation was launched following comments made by Penn State Coach James Franklin, who suggested that the Eagles had contacted Barkley directly during a press conference.
“[Barkley] said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch,” Franklin said shortly after Barkley’s deal was announced. “Not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that that but also the connection with Penn State and the fan base as well. So just a really cool opportunity.”
NFL rules require that contact between teams and players represented by agents can only be had through the agent.
The Eagles and Barkley’s camp vehemently denied the allegations, and Franklin later walked his comments back.
“I had a 10-minute conversation with Saquon and I just assumed and connected dots that weren’t there,” Franklin said about a week later. “All those conversations went through his agent. And obviously I made a comment for three minutes that was misinterpreted, but by no means was it how it was portrayed.”
The NFL indicated in the statement that should new evidence surface, the league will reopen the investigation.
The NFL was simultaneously investigating the Atlanta Falcons for similar violations in the team’s acquisition of Kirk Cousins. The league found that not only did Atlanta commit tampering violations with Cousins, but also with WR Darnell Mooney and TE Charlie Woerner. The Falcons forfeited its 2025 fifth round draft pick and will pay a fine of $250,000, while Falcons GM Terry Fontenot will pay a fine of $50,000.
