Report: Threat of suspension later in season led to Brady's decision

Tom Brady brought an end to the "Deflategate" scandal on Friday by opting to forgo any future legal action against his four-game suspension. His decision was motivated by his desire not to risk missing any games later in the season, sources told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

If New England Patriots quarterback appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of his suspension, and it then decided not to hear the appeal, Brady would be suspended for four games at that moment, notes Florio.

Instead, by accepting the punishment, the Patriots are able to spend the next few months preparing for the first four games without Brady, and wouldn't have a potential playoff run scuppered by a reinforcement of his suspension later in the campaign.

With Brady sidelined, the Patriots will presumably turn to backup Jimmy Garoppolo for the first quarter of the season.