The biggest buzz point this offseason was what the Falcons would do at quarterback, and Terry Fontenot reacted by giving Kirk Cousins a $180 million contract over four years.
Atlanta’s general manager went above and beyond in every aspect of the contract, thanks to Arthur Blank’s support. The Vikings were unwilling to follow the Falcons’ lead in terms of years, guarantees, and average annual value.
The Falcons wanted Kirk Cousins, and they made it clear. However, the honeymoon stage did not last long. During Cousins’ initial news conference at Flowery Branch, the veteran revealed that Kyle Pitts had recruited him weeks before the legal tampering period, and he had spoken with other team members.
“There are great people here,” Cousins stated. “But it’s not only the football squad. I mean, I am looking at the support workers. Yesterday, we met, called our head athletic trainer, and spoke with our head of public relations. I think we’ve got some good folks here. And that is exciting to be a part of.
Mike Florio, a known Vikings fan, went so far as to label it the most obvious case of tampering he’s ever seen. Well, Falcons owner Arthur Blank had his chance to defend his team and new quarterback.
“Any time the word ‘tampering’ comes up, you worry about it,” Blank told USA TODAY Sports at the owner’s meetings in Orlando. “I know there was no meddling from our end. Whatever conversation there was was quite benign. We will see. Whatever the league decides, we will deal with it.
Tampering is the NFL’s worst-kept secret. Teams, players, and owners do it all the time. They are rarely investigated, and even fewer are punished, but this one is evident. However, Blank argues that nothing was intended.
“There was nothing intentional,” Blank stated. “Minneapolis understands that. That is something the athlete understands.
I am not sure if the league cares whether anything is intentional or not. However, I don’t see the Falcons getting hammered.
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