Just about the second that free agency officially began last March, reports came out that former Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin planned to reunite with his old coach, Andy Reid, in Kansas City. Sure enough, days later Maclin inked a deal with the Chiefs worth $55 million ($22.5 million guaranteed) over five years.
Well apparently the NFL was suspicious of that timeline, because on Wednesday the league found the Chiefs guilty of violating the league’s anti-tampering rules, which prohibit contact with a free agent before free agency officially begins. As punishment, Kansas City was stripped of their third-round pick in April’s NFL Draft and a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft and fined $250,000, while Reid was charged $75,000 and general manager John Dorsey docked charged $25,000.
These penalties are no joke. A third-round pick has real value, a 2017 sixth-rounder isn’t worthless and the fines are much more than pocket change. Reid makes $7.5 million, which means his penalty is the equivalent, percentage-wise, of someone who makes $100,000 losing $1,000.
The Chiefs, as you might expect, are not happy with the decision. Via ESPN:
The Chiefs, Reid and Dorsey may appeal the penalties. Chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement that they “will continue to explore our options under the appeal process.”
“While we respect Commissioner [Roger] 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,” Hunt said.
“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.”
Hey, at least the Chiefs got good value out of Maclin, who led the team in catches (87), receiving yards (1,088) and touchdowns (8).
