Report: Cousins, Barkley deals probed for tampering

The NFL is investigating potential tampering by the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons related to the free-agent signings of Saquon Barkley and Kirk Cousins, respectively, a source told The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Such probes are standard league procedure, Russini adds.

Cousins and Barkley were among the biggest prizes during the early stages of the free-agency process this week.

Barkley landed a three-year, $37.7-million deal with the Eagles during the legal tampering window. The former Penn State product concluded his tenure with the New York Giants after six seasons.

The Eagles denied being involved in illegal tampering after allegations surfaced that general manager Howie Roseman personally met with Barkley during the negotiation window, which is not permitted if the player is not representing himself.

The Giants didn't contact the league regarding the matter.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180-million contract, which includes $100 million guaranteed. The signing marked the end of the four-time Pro Bowler's six-year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, which dated back to 2018.

The 35-year-old admitted that he spoke with the Falcons' athletic trainers Tuesday regarding the progress of Cousins' surgically repaired Achilles tendon, which ended his 2023 campaign in Week 8. Teams can only make contact with a player's agent during the two-day negotiating window, which began at 12 p.m. ET on Monday.

"There's great people here. And it's not just the football team. I mean, I'm looking at the support staff," Cousins said during his introductory press conference Wednesday. "Meeting, calling, yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of P.R. I'm thinking, we got good people here."