NFL Schedule: Patriots QB Tom Brady Might Join First Match against Pittsburgh Steelers; Timeline To Resolve 'Deflategate' Scandal Released

Aug 01, 2015 02:49 AM EDT

Tom Brady can't seem to get out of the spotlight ever since news of the NFL "Deflategate" scandal hit the stands. With Roger Goodell announcing earlier this week that the NFL elected to uphold the four-game suspension of the football star, the decision of Brady's camp to appeal did not exactly come as a surprise. However, the latest update on the issue that rocked the NFL to its core might be nearing its end sometime soon.

While both the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) have yet to reach an agreement on the future of the New England Patriots quarterback, a report in the NFL website disclosed that everyone involved approved of a timeline. With both camps fully aware of the significance of Brady's participation in the Patriots' games, an agreement has been made which stated that the "Deflategate" issue shall be resolved before the 2015 NFL season commences. The report further disclosed that the agreement have been jointly filed by the NFL and the NFLPA in the office of New York Judge Richard Berman. Finally finding a matter that both parties approved of, Berman quickly agreed and cited that all concerns should be resolved and finalized before Week 1 of the NFL season.

In the document filed, the timeline for the case's resolution has been outlined in an effort to finally settle the matter. The judge ordered the Patriots' quarterback's legal team and the NFL to submit their position papers on or before August 7, then be prepared for a face-to-face discussion on August 12. The conference Berman scheduled will mark a personal meeting of NFL commissioner Goodell and Brady. At this point, Berman hopes that the NFL and the NFLPA reach an agreement. Should the deal collapse, another conference is scheduled on August 19. If the schedule is followed carefully, then the public will learn of the final resolution to the infamous "Deflategate" scandal prior to the start of the NFL season. More importantly, the decision will provide Brady and the Patriots ample time to prepare for their opening game on September 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Following the announcement of Goodell that the NFL chose to uphold Brady's four-game suspension, the Patriots star took to social media to express his disappointment over the decision. "I am very disappointed by the NFL's decision to uphold the 4 game suspension against me," said Brady in a statement released after Goodell's decision was made public, according to USA Today. He further wrote, "I did nothing wrong, and no one in the Patriots organization did either."