After months of investigating, weeks of appeals and constant bickering, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady may be on the verge on finally settling deflategate. I mean it this time.
A Manhattan area judge has ordered both sides to try and privately discuss a settlement before moving forward with the case.
Goodell said Tuesday, "We will certainly cooperate fully with that and will allow the judge to handle the process from there."
A willing compromise between the two sides seems unlikely, though.
Brady is currently suspended for the first four regular season games after an NFL investigation determined he likely knew about Patriots staffers deflating footballs for last season's AFC Championship game. (Video via WJLA)
Brady's appealed the suspension, but Goodell held firm on it, in large part, due to Brady's intentionally destroyed cell phone. The league considered that a destruction of evidence. (Video via NECN)
If the suspension stands, backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to fill-in during Brady's absence.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
