Kansas City Chiefs: NFL Deals Anti-Tampering Sanctions
With focused attention on free-agent transactions, the NFL imposed sanctions on the Kansas City Chiefs for violating anti-tampering guidelines in 2015, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Albert Breer.
NFL announces Chiefs to forfeit 2016 3rd round pick and 2017 6th round pick for violating Anti Tampering Policy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016
In addition to lost draft picks, Chiefs' organization fined $250,000. Andy Reid fined $75,000 and John Dorsey fined $25,000.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016
NFL announces Chiefs will forfeit a 3rd-round pick this year and a 6th-rounder next year for "improper contact" with Jeremy Maclin in '15.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 9, 2016
As noted in Schefter’s tweets, head coach Andy Reid is a direct subject of the proposed fines. While coaching for the Philadelphia Eagles, he established a rapport with wideout Jeremy Maclin, a connection that could land the organization in hot water.
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Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt released a statement in response to the sanctions via the team’s official website, expressing disappointment in the ruling. Here’s an excerpt:
"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."
According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, the Chiefs have five days to appeal and save the organization some cash, a third-round pick in the upcoming draft and a sixth-round pick in 2017:
The #Chiefs have five days to appeal #NFL punishment for alleged tampering. No 3 pick forfeited in 2016, 6th rounder in 2017
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 9, 2016
Expect the organization to fight the league office on this matter and a swift decision with an upcoming draft pick at stake.
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Whether the ruling stands or not, teams will take note, dotting i’s and crossing t’s before free agency official starts on the first day of the NFL season.
Days prior to the official beginning of free agency, clubs are allowed to contact agents of players set to hit the market, but direct player-to-organizational contact remains prohibited until the first day of the NFL calendar, per NFL.com reporter Dan Hanzus.
The Chiefs could lose several free agents on the current open market. The front office will likely look to the draft to replace players bolting for better contracts elsewhere. As a result, Kansas City’s third-round pick holds significant value along with the franchise’s integrity.
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