The Sports Xchange

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady were back in federal court Monday morning in an effort to settle the Deflategate case.

The hearing in New York started at 11 a.m. ET before U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, who had ordered both sides to appear for a status conference.

Brady was suspended four regular-season games by the NFL for his alleged knowledge of the intentional reduction of football air pressure in the AFC Championship game in January. Brady also was uncooperative in the opinion of the NFL and Goodell during investigator Ted Wells’ search for details.

Goodell said in his decision to uphold the four-game suspension after hearing Brady’s appeal on June 23 that Brady intentionally destroyed a cell phone on or shortly after being asked for access to the device. Goodell upheld the suspension on July 29, prompting Brady and the NFL Players Associationto file suit in federal court.

Berman has continued to push for a settlement in the dispute, saying it would be “rational and logical.”

The NFLPA and Brady have asked the judge to void the suspension. At a court hearing earlier this month, Berman told the NFL there was precedent for judges to toss out penalties issued by arbitrators.

Berman said, if left up to him to rule in the matter, he would not be held to a Friday deadline for a decision, which is six days before the Patriots are scheduled to open the regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10.

Monday’s hearing may be the last chance for lawyers from both sides to make their arguments.

With the ruling by Goodell, Brady is slated to miss the Patriots’ first four regular-season games: the Sept. 10 home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 20 at the Buffalo Bills and Sept. 27 at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a Week 4 bye, the Patriots visit the Dallas Cowboys on Oct 11. Second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would start in place of Brady.

Brady would be eligible to return in Week 6 at Indianapolis in a Sunday night game against the team that helped pave the way for the investigation.

After routing the Colts 45-7 to advance to the Super Bowl, the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win their fourth title.