Pioneer Press journalist Charley Walters claims that the Minnesota Vikings have moved closer to a resolution regarding the Atlanta Falcons’ purported interference with Kirk Cousins. The Vikings have “strongly appealed” the tampering claim that is anticipated to go to arbitration, according to a May 12 column by Walters. According to Walters, “there are rumors that the Vikings have filed a strong appeal against a Falcons tampering charge in the signing of Cousins, which is likely to go to arbitration.” Before the draft, it seemed as though the NFL’s tampering investigation would soon be concluded. Adam Schefter of ESPN first stated that a resolution would be reached during draft week, but he later clarified that the probe would not be finished in time for the draft. The league hasn’t said anything since the draft. However, since Cousins alluded to possible tampering at his initial press conference with the Falcons, this is the first indication of a legal suit the Vikings have filed. Even though Cousins and the Vikings had reached a deadlock in their extension negotiations months prior, he might still choose to return if he was unable to secure a better offer in free agency. The Vikings, according to their owner, Mark Wilf, made a “serious offer” for Cousins, but the Falcons, who would have to pay Cousins’ first two years of deal, prevailed in the bidding war. After an Achilles tear in October, which was thought to have hampered his free agency, Cousins was recovering. Just 90 minutes after free agency opened on Monday, March 13, without a physical, the Falcons seemed confident enough to sign Cousins to a mammoth four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. During the negotiations leading up to his free agency, Cousins acknowledged meeting with the Falcons medical staff before his Vikings contract officially ended, as he disclosed in his opening press conference in Atlanta.The league regulations would be broken if medical information were shared.The penalty is still up for debate, even in the event that it is found that the Falcons tampered.On May 7, Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune addressed the issue and dispelled the myth that the Vikings would receive payment: Regardless of the penalty, I don’t think the Vikings will be directly impacted by anything other than maybe moving up in the draft because the Falcons had to give up a selection or two. Brian McCarthy, an NFL official, affirmed that the league is currently conducting an investigation. Previous examples, such as the Miami Dolphins’ repeated draft pick forfeitions following the league’s discovery that they had tampered with quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton, led one to conclude that the punishment would only affect the Falcons. The Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles exchanged selections in order to settle a tampering charge involving Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon; thus, it appears that there is a misconception that the Vikings can do the same. The two teams did, however, come to an agreement after the Cardinals self-reported the infraction. In this instance, Cousins disclosed during a press conference that he had spoken with Falcons representatives before obtaining authorization.evidence that he had spoken with Falcons representatives prior to authorization.
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