Less than a week after Kirk Cousins signed a four-year contract worth $180 Million with the Atlanta Falcons, he is being investigated for tampering. But what is tampering in the NFL, and how did Kirk Cousins get himself into this investigation? Here's everything you need to know about what tampering is in the NFL right below:
Detailed overview of what is tampering in the NFL
According to NFL's Anti-Tampering Policy, "The term tampering, as used within the National Football League, refers to any interference by a member club with the employer-employee relationship of another club or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with that club or with the NFL."
In simple words, during the recruitment process of an NFL player, if the player or his manager is connected to a member of the club in such a way that the player's recruitment process is inclined towards benefiting him unethically, that is called tampering. This is what is happening in Kirk Cousins' case. 
Why is Kirk Cousins being investigated for tampering in the NFL?
On Wednesday night, Kirk Cousins, who recently signed a $180 Million 4-year-long contract with the Atlanta Falcons, appeared at his introductory news conference. But he appeared to have said too much, which got him in trouble with the league.
Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons signed the $180 million contract just a few hours after the NFL negotiation window opened on Monday. According to the NFL's rules and regulations, the Falcons were not allowed to access Cousins' medical information until 11 a.m.
Also Read: Kirk Cousins Net Worth - Contract, Salary and Career Earnings
Cousins came into the 2024 season after a long break due to an Achilles tear last season. Now, the mistake that Kirk made was he admitted in front of the Atlanta Media during the conference that he, at a minimum, had a conversation with the Atlanta Falcons during the negotiation window. He even confessed to meeting with the trainer.
All of this is illegal. There's a chance that it might be Kirk Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, who might have talks with the team before the opening of the negotiation window. That's a common practice in the NFL but something that no one speaks out loud, especially publically.
Also Read: All About Kirk Cousins' Wife, Julie Hampton
And if Kirk Cousins's agent, Mike McCartney, did have conversations with the Falcons or its representatives, it technically means Cousins is still part of the Vikings' contract. McCartney announced Kirk's new contract with the Falcons exactly 86 minutes after the opening of the negotiation window on Monday.
But things have turned upside down for Kirk, as ESPN Insider Dan Graziano reports that the NFL has started to investigate Cousins' case. "Per a league source, the NFL is looking into potential tampering by the Eagles and the Falcons related to the free-agent signings of Saquon Barkley and Kirk Cousins," Dan Tweeted.
What is the punishment for tampering in the NFL?
Punishment for tampering has been different over the years for various teams or players who were caught tampering. In 2015, the Jets received a fine of $100,000 for tampering with Darrelle Revis. A year later, in 2016, the Kansas City Chiefs' third-round pick was taken away for talking to Jeremy Maclin, the receiver, during the negotiation window.
More recently, the Miami Dolphins were fined with first and third-round picks in 2022. The team was caught tampering with Tom Brady as well as Sean Payton, who is Saints head coach. So talking about Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons, their draft selections might be taken away, if convicted guilty.
