(GUARDIAN) - Tom Brady has already shown up at the New England Patriots facility for the opening of this week's training camp, which only makes the National Football League's (NFL) predicament regarding his looming suspension even more complicated.
Any hint of Brady working out in a Patriots uniform or throwing passes to Patriots players without a resolution to the appeal of his four-game suspension keeps the news cycle churning on an issue that continues to haunt NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Patriots are days away from beginning practices for this season and they still do not know if they will have their franchise quarterback for a quarter of the regular season.
Fox Sports has reported that Brady's representatives are in talks with the NFL about a reduction of the four-game suspension he was given over the Deflategate scandal .
But there is no sense if those talks will result in a resolution.
ESPN reported on Monday that Brady would probably not accept a compromise that drops his suspension to one or two games .
The network said he may be willing to take a fine in place of a suspension, by admitting he was not helpful in the Ted Wells investigation into the cheating allegations.
Brady appealed the suspension last month and a ruling on his appeal has been anticipated for several days. His representatives have indicated that he will challenge his suspension in court if it is not rescinded.
Goodell may be weighing the value of a protracted court fight with his league's most glamorous player over a complicated issue of proper inflation of footballs in winter weather.
Undoubtedly the league would love a resolution to an issue that continues to generate headlines and top all NFL talk shows. With camps opening and
Brady appearing in New England's offices ready to practice for a season he will currently not start, an annoying storyline that will not go away.
As of Monday afternoon, there seemed to be no clue as to when or if that resolution will occur, dragging on a topic the NFL simply cannot make disappear.
