Did The NFL Make Jonathan Vilma A Offer?

The resulting and lingering fallout from the New Orleans Saints’ “Bounty Gate” has dominated the news this offseason and it has led to mudslinging between linebacker Jonathan Vilma and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Jonathan Vilma sued Roger Goodell for defamation and a reduction in his 1 year NFL suspension. There have been rumors since that Vilma and Goodell were working towards a reduction in the suspension.

ProFootball Talk cited sources who say that the NFL “definitely” offered Jonathan Vilma an 8 game reduction. That is seeming a confirmation of month long rumors that claim the NFL had offered Vilma a reduction but the NFL has denied any offers had been made.

Jonathan Vilma apparently denied the offer. It certainly seems like if he was offered for his suspension to be reduced to 8 game Vilma would take that deal. To be available for the second half of the season and a play off push, what more could he want?

If Jonathan Vilma’s suspension were to be reduced you’d think the 3 other players who were penalized would have to have their suspensions reduced as well. I think it is unlikely that the NFL would do that.

The league was quick to refute these rumors again denying that they offered Vilma a reduction. NFL’s Greg Aiello dispute ProFootball Talk’s claims via his Twitter this morning.

"“Not true. No settlement offer has been made. “A source” is wrong. RT @ProFootballTalk Source: NFL “definitely” offered *-game reduction…”“Again, reports about a settlement offer by the NFL to Jonathan Vilma are completely inaccurate. No such settlement offer has been made.”"

But the sources are claiming the NFL implied that if there was a reduction proposed they would accept it, not necessarily that they offered a reduction.

For now though the judge overseeing the case is hoping both parties can resolve their differences and we’ll see if that comes before the season.