As the New England Patriots' training camp inches closer, we still await an announcement from the NFL regarding Tom Brady's appeal of his four-game suspension.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the NFL and NFL Players Association exchanged offers for a potential settlement on Brady's suspension, according to sources informed of the negotiations.
However, a deal remains unlikely, per Rapoport.
Brady has not been willing to accept any offer that includes him sitting out games, while the league would almost certainly want an acknowledgement of contrition from the Patriots quarterback.
Brady would be amenable to a large fine but doesn't want to miss games, including the season opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFL announced on May 11 that Brady was suspended for violating the NFL policy on the integrity of the game. That came less than a week after independent investigator Ted Wells found that it was "more probable than not" that Brady was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities" regarding the deflation of Patriots game balls used in the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts.
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