The Atlanta Falcons are likely to face a hefty fine for violating the NFL’s tampering rules. The Philadelphia Eagles are apparently getting off more lightly.

A decision is apparently imminent in the NFL’s investigation into the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles for tampering.

This is reported by “ESPN” insider Adam Schefter. According to the report, a decision is expected this week.

The background to the investigation is the signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins by the Falcons and running back Saquon Barkley by the Eagles. Shortly after the start of free agency, it was leaked that the players had agreed on a contract with their respective teams. However, the franchises are prohibited from holding official talks with the players in advance.

According to Schefter, however, the Falcons’ alleged transgressions will be considered more serious and sanctions for Atlanta are expected to be correspondingly more severe.

Dolphins and Chiefs punished severely for tampering

In the past, the league has taken tampering violations very seriously and punished offenses consistently.

The Miami Dolphins, for example, forfeited their 2023 first-round pick and a third-round pick for 2024 because they had three unauthorized conversations with quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton between 2019 and 2022. Team owner Stephen Ross and vice chairman Bruce Beal were also sentenced to hefty fines; Ross to the tune of 1.5 million dollars, Beal to the tune of 500,000 dollars.

Previously, the Kansas City Chiefs forfeited their 2016 third-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick for making unauthorized contact with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in 2015. The franchise was also fined 250,000 dollars, head coach Andy Reid was fined 75,000 dollars and then-general manager John Dorsey was fined 25,000 dollars.