Well, that didn’t take long. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots QB will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season and the club will also lose two draft picks spread over the next two drafts.
Filed to ESPN: Tom Brady suspended four games, Pats lose 1st round pick in 2016 and a 4th in 2017, and team fined $1 million, per source:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 11, 2015
This all comes on the heels of the Wells Report commissioned by the league that said Tom Brady was “at least generally aware” that the footballs used in the NFC Championship game didn’t meet the standards set forth by the league. That’s a hell of a punishment for a “were not 100 percent sure, but he looks pretty guilty”.
Brady still can participate in the entirety of the Patriots off-season program, including preseason games but will miss the teams first four games when they match-up against the Steelers, Bills, Jaguars, and Cowboys.
Tom Brady can participate in all offseason, training camp and preseason activities, including preseason games.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 11, 2015
The other team personnel involved, John Jastremski and Jim McNally have been suspended indefinitely and cannot return to work with the team until NFL Executive V.P. Troy Vincent gives his stamp of approval.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft advised commissioner Roger Goodell that employees John Jastremski & Jim McNally have been suspended indefinitely
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 11, 2015
This means the Pats will face the Steelers, Bills, Jaguars, and Cowboys defenses lead by Jimmy Garoppolo, the 2014 second round draft choice of the team who road the pine pony behind Brady in 2014 all the way to a Super Bowl win.
Jimmy Garoppolo who you might ask? He’s the pride of Eastern Illinois and has just one career TD pass in the NFL to go along with 182-passing yards.