A decision on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension appeal likely won’t come before next weekend, at the earliest, according to NFL.com.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that post-hearing briefs are due next week, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell still will need time to process those briefs once he receives them.
“Roger Goodell is going to look over (the briefs), and those may take a couple weeks, so nothing is imminent,” Rapoport said Wednesday on “NFL Total Access.”
“As far as a target date, the hope from people involved is that by the start of training camp, about a month from now, the Patriots will know (the answer to the question) ‘Will Tom Brady be on the field for the opener?'”
It’s not an ideal situation for New England or its fans, as both obviously want to know whether the quarterback will be playing in the season opener sooner than the start of training camp. But on the bright side, it looks like the NFL isn’t going to drag this out longer than it needs to and wants to have a decision in time for the Patriots to prepare for whatever the outcome may be.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
