Judge orders NFL, union to engage in good faith Brady settlement talks

The judge overseeing the Tom Brady suspension appeal ordered the NFL and NFLPA to engage in "good faith settlement efforts" Tuesday, NFL Network's Albert Breer reports.

It's no surprise. The court would surely prefer that the league and players' union resolve this mess without requiring a judicial ruling.

Ultimately, settling is in the best interests of both parties. Maybe a deal will involve Brady missing games, maybe it will just include a hefty fine. Some how, some way, the two sides will be best served putting this conflict behind them before the season begins.

The question that remains is whether they can set aside their pride and reach a compromise.

Judge Richard Berman is slated to meet with Brady, commissioner Roger Goodell and plenty of lawyers on Wednesday morning in New York City for an update on their settlement talks.

Could there finally be some light at the end of this long, dumb tunnel?