The NFL Players Association wanted more time to decide whether to file a petition for rehearing regarding the outcome of the federal appeal that reinstated Tom Brady’s four-game suspension. The NFL opposed the request.
On Tuesday, the request was granted. As a result, the deadline has been extended from May 9 to May 23.
The union arguably didn’t need extra time to make a decision that, as a practical matter, could be made in a matter of minutes. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by seeking a rehearing before the full Second Circuit.
The subtext seems to be that the NFL suspects the union is delaying the volleyball game in the hopes that a final outcome will come as late as possible, potentially keeping Brady on the field for all of the 2016 season. Still, two extra weeks really won’t change much in the grand scheme of things -- especially since the NFL needed four full months to complete the initial investigation into the alleged tampering with football air pressure.