The next step in the Patriots’ quest to have accused Deflategate participants John Jastremski and Jim McNally reinstated could be a meeting with NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, NFL Network reported Sunday.
Sources told NFL Network that Jastremski, an equipment staffer, and McNally, a locker room attendant, face discipline for their role in the apparent deflation of footballs.
The Patriots made a formal request for their reinstatement last week, which the league acknowledged and is reviewing. A meeting with Vincent has long been said to be a step in the process of ending the suspensions that started in May.
Both men were cited in the Wells report as being involved in tampering with footballs, and the report said league officials believe the men should be held accountable. Their texts and appearance on surveillance video were prominent in the Wells report.