New England Patriots Rumors: Tom Brady’s Suspension Could Be Bad News For Rest Of The NFL

The New England Patriots are rumored to be hopeful that Tom Brady will see his NFL suspension lessened, but if that doesn’t happen, some believe it could end up being an even bigger advantage to the Super Bowl champions.

Brady is awaiting word on his appeal to the league for his four-game suspension, handed to him as a result of the DeflateGate controversy. The league determined that Brady was at least partly at fault for the team having balls deflated to below league standards for the AFC Championship Game, though part of his punishment is also for failing to fully cooperate with the investigation itself.

But if the four-game suspension does stick, it could be even bigger motivation to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Jenny Vrentas of Monday Morning Quarterback just ranked Brady as the league’s most influential player for the 2015 season, saying he will make a huge difference even if he is out until October.

There are some who believe the suspension could motivate Brady to reach new levels, even in the twilight years of his career. Vrentas quotes Brady’s longtime teammate Rodney Harrison.

“You’ve got way over $100 million in the bank. You’ve got a beautiful wife. You’ve got a beautiful family. The natural tendency would be to say, ‘I can lie in my silk sheets and just enjoy life now. I don’t need football.’ But I’m telling you: This is the best thing that could have happened to Tom Brady. This will rejuvenate him. The rest of the league better look out. This year, he’s going to make everybody pay for what’s happened.”

Brady has been largely quiet about the appeal, making his case privately to the league rather than splashing it across the media. But Harrison said he believes that behind the scenes, Brady is seething.

“Believe me, he’s not saying anything right now, but this is pissing him off, big-time,” Harrison said. “He will be supremely motivated this year. I know him. I know how he thinks. And this is going to be very bad for the rest of the league when they play Brady this year.”

It is still unclear when the New England Patriots could find out about Tom Brady’s appeal. There are rumors that the NFL may return its verdict within the next few days, giving the team an answer before training camp. Either way, the Patriots are said to be optimistic, especially given the league’s decision to slash Greg Hardy’s suspension from 10 games to four.

[Image via Getty Images]