Tom Brady's Legal Team, NFL Reportedly Have Talked Deflategate Appeal Settlement

The NFL has yet to hand down a ruling regarding New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's appeal of his four-game suspension stemming from Deflategate, and one of the potential reasons for the league's methodical proceedings has come to light.

According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, "settlement discussions have indeed occurred" between Brady's team and the league. 

However, Florio reported those talks have not resulted in any substantial developments: 

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To date, no progress has been made toward a deal. While it remains possible that something could be worked out, it would be unexpected.

Per the source, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is being pushed by a small handful of influential owners to hold firm on the four-game suspension. Working against that pressure, however, is the fear that the four-game suspension would be wiped out by a federal court.

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In fact, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reported the NFLPA's settlement proposal was met with "silence" from the league office, and he noted Brady plans to hold firm on his refusal to accept any suspension.

On Tuesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the media at a luncheon in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and discussed the time frame for a final decision. 

"We are obviously being very thorough and want to make sure we consider all aspects of his appeal," Goodell said, according to ESPN.com's Mike Reiss. "We will make a decision as quickly as possible."

To that end, Goodell insisted there is no set date by which the league is hoping to announce a ruling. 

"There is no timeline," he said, per Reiss. "We want to make sure we have a fair and open process."

According to Florio, attorney Gregg Levy has been advising the commissioner throughout the last few months.

"It’s believed that Levy has been warning Goodell that it will be difficult to make a suspension stick in court, even under the heightened standard that applies to challenging the outcome of a private arbitration agreement," Florio wrote.  

Brady was originally suspended four games on May 11 based on the findings of the Deflategate investigation, and the New England Patriots quarterback filed an appeal three days later. 

With deliberation ongoing, there's a chance the saga could spill over into training camp. Veterans are set to report to Gillette Stadium for camp July 29 before practice opens the following day.