Eagles' Tampering Case on the Verge of Being Decided

The Philadelphia Eagles are full steam ahead on preparing for the 2024 season with OTAs underway and mandatory minicamp right around the corner. However, there is one major offseason item still hanging over the team: the league's tampering investigation around Philadelphia's signing of running back Saquon Barkley.

The case was opened all the way back in March after information that possibly pointed to impermissible contact between Barkley and the Eagles during the free-agent negotiation window, but has failed to find a resolution to this point.

Finally, though, it appears this investigation is coming to a close.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that rulings on the tampering cases involving the Eagles and Atlanta Falcons (who could be in trouble for early recruitment of quarterback Kirk Cousins) are "likely" to come down this week. Schefter added in a follow-up story that Atlanta's potential rule breaking is considered "more significant" and expected to come with "more severe" punishment.

At the very least, it's good for Philadelphia to put this distraction behind the organization. The fact the Falcons are bracing for the worse punishment of the two is also good news for the Eagles, who might receive a lighter slap on the wrist.

Recently, the Miami Dolphins were forced to forfeit a first- and third-round pick for illegal contact with both Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs coughed up just a third- and sixth-rounder for tampering violations while Jeremy Maclin was a free agent in 2015.

Perhaps Howie Roseman and co., if found guilty of contact with Barkley not allowed under league roles, see a penalty similar to Kansas City. There's also the chance the league's investigation doesn't turn up any conclusive evidence to dock Philadelphia's draft capital, but fans won't know for sure until the NFL announces its findings this week.

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