The Falcons Have Been Docked a Fifth Round Pick for the Egregious Crime of Kirk Cousins Talking to a Trainer Two Days Early

ESPN — The Falcons officially signed Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million on the first day of official free agency, two days after his agent, Mike McCartney, announced on social media that Cousins and Atlanta had agreed to terms.

"While the policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period, any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited," the NFL said in a statement. "This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players."

During Cousins' opening news conference, he indicated he had spoken with the team's head trainer before 4 p.m. on March 13, when the new league year was set to open.

I would like to thank the NFL for taking care of the biggest issues currently plaguing the League and making sure the integrity of the game is protected. Sure, there are players getting in hit-and-runs and putting the NFL in a bad light for all sorts of other real-world issues, but I'm glad we're on top of Kirk Cousins talking to the Falcons' training staff a day or two early.

All things considered, losing a fifth round pick isn't the end of the world, but in a sport where undrafted players become Pro Bowlers every year, it's definitely a real punishment. And somehow, there are still people out there the NFL didn't take away Atlanta's next three first rounders.

I just need to see this guy doing something positive on the field already, because only the Falcons could get the best free agent available and still turn the off-season into a shit show. Just get me to training camp and show me Kirk spinning a beauty to Drake London so we can all relax and look forward to hopefully having a competent football team.