Brady isn't going to back down without a public apology and a complete exoneration. I don't think he will buy into a backroom deal with the League.
I think these are two parallel tracks. The NFLPA will utilize the Brady opportunity to hammer the league on the CBA and get the suspension lifted - both the FACTS and the LAW appear to be on Brady's side. The question will be whether the league comes out and apologizes to Brady without facing a lawsuit. They would have to throw Wells under the bus and some sacrificial lambs from HQ (Vincent, Gardi, and Kensil).
In parallel, Kraft is wise to be doing the back channel negotiations - this does not mean compromise. It means him saying that he is confident Brady will win his case(s) and when that happens, it adds more ammunition to his claims against the league, since an exoneration of Brady will lay the foundation for proving that there is "no there, there" regarding the "crime" of deflation or the "lack of cooperation".
Kraft does not need to rush, since between him and the NFLPA, they have the league offices out maneuvered out manned. It's like a Hammer and Anvil, where Brady/NFLPA are the Anvil executing the full frontal assault and Kraft is the Hammer, waiting for the engagement to outflank and attack opportunistically while the NFL is engaged or weakened by the NFLPA. Alexander the Great used this strategy to great effect. I am assuming that Kraft is aware of this approach and is preparing to work it.
I really would love to be on the team game planning this - would be so much fun. Alexander the Great was a great example of "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" in the ancient world. I hope the Kraft family is thinking Victory by any means and using all the tools at their disposal. No draft picks taken , no fines, removal of bad actors in the league office, and a public apology to him personally and the franchise as a whole.
