Chiefs Lose Two Draft Picks For Tampering Last Year, Appeal Denied

Update:

Terez A. Paylor reports that the NFL has informed the Chiefs that their appeal of the penalties handed down for tampering has been denied.

The Chiefs still lose their third-round pick in 2016 for this incident. However, their fine was reduced from $250,000 to $200,000 and HC Andy Reid’s fine was reduced from $75,000 to $60,000, according to Paylor.

Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt released a statement regarding the NFL’s decision.

“We appreciate the opportunity to make our appeal on this matter, and we acknowledge the minor reduction in fines imposed. However, we continue to believe that the facts of this case combined with the league’s inconsistent enforcement of its tampering policies do not warrant the most severe penalty for player-related tampering in league history.

“Having exhausted our options under the appeal process, we are turning the page on this issue and look forward to continuing our preparations for the 2016 season.”

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Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt has released a statement regarding the matter.

“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.”

Ian Rapoport reports that the Chiefs will appeal this ruling from the NFL.

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The NFL announced Wednesday that the Chiefs will lose their 2016 third-round pick and their 2017 sixth-round pick for violating the anti-tampering rules last year upon signing WR Jeremy Maclin.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have been fined $250,000, HC Andy Reid was fined $75,000 and GM John Dorsey received a $25,000 fine.

Here’s the full release:

NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations TROY VINCENT today advised the Kansas City Chiefs of the discipline being imposed for a violation of the Anti-Tampering Policy relating to improper contact during the 2015 “Negotiating Period” with prospective unrestricted free agent player Jeremy Maclin, then under contract to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vincent informed Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt by letter that the club and individual employees had violated the Anti-Tampering Policy by having direct communications with Maclin during the Negotiating Period, which is specifically prohibited.  Because of those impermissible contacts,  Kansas City will forfeit its third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and its sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and pay a fine of $250,000.  In addition, Head Coach Andy Reid has been fined $75,000 and General Manager John Dorsey has been fined $25,000.  

Vincent explained that in “assessing discipline, the goal is to balance the seriousness of the violation of an important and longstanding competitive rule (the Anti-Tampering Policy), with appropriate recognition of the club’s history (no prior offenses), and the cooperation shown by both the club and individual employees.  The discipline should be sufficient both to deter future violations and encourage cooperation in future investigations.  The assessment of discipline here accounts for the fact that the club and its personnel were fully cooperative and forthcoming in the investigation.  In this case, our staff had full access to all of the information requested, including electronic and telephone records, and unrestricted access to all club people whom we sought to interview.” 

Both the Chiefs and the individual club employees may appeal this discipline by advising the Commissioner in writing of their wish to do so within five days.