The Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin during free agency last year, and now the NFL is imposing discipline on the club for the path it took to land the receiver. The Chiefs will forfeit a third-round pick this year and a sixth-rounder in 2017 because of a violation of the league’s anti-tampering policy (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com). Additionally, the league has fined the team $250K, head coach Andy Reid $75K, and general manager John Dorsey $25K.
The Chiefs allegedly had contact with Maclin during the league’s legal tampering window prior to free agency, but that’s not allowed. Teams are only permitted to talk with player representatives in that time frame.
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has issued a statement in response to the league’s decision (via the team’s website):
“Today we were informed by the National Football League that our club will be disciplined for an infraction during the 2015 free agency negotiating period.
“While we respect Commissioner Goodell and the process, we believe that the penalties proposed in this case are inconsistent with discipline enforced in similar matters – particularly given the league’s inconsistent communication of its policies on contact with potential free agents.
“As an organization, we take great care to conduct ourselves with integrity and operate within the guidelines of the NFL. We have been fully cooperative and transparent with the league in this matter, and we are disappointed with the league’s decision. I want to make it clear that I fully support the leadership of both Coach Reid and John Dorsey. We will continue to explore our options under the appeal process.”
An appeal is indeed on the way, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
It’s a good thing they didn’t set up cameras at opposing teams practice site!
If this were the Patriots they would have lost a first round draft choice and been fined by the one sided commissioner 1mil minimum!!
where is the outrage? imagine if this was the Patriots… Goodell would hire a hitman to take out Brady and Belichick.
What….another NFL team cheated???? By gosh, what is going on here….if this were the Patriots, the commissioner probably would have taken all of their draft picks….
The Jets tampered with Revis and it cost them 100K. NFL is such a joke, and I don’t even like the Chiefs.
It may’ve been worth it.