Earlier today, while speaking with reporters at an NFL draft event, Roger Goodell said the punishment phase regarding the players who were involved with the Bountygate scandal was in the “final stages,” although he indicated it was unlikely he would be issuing any decisions this week regarding possible suspensions or other punishments.
The general consensus is that Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma will face the stiffest punishments from the league, but safety Roman Harper and defensive end Will Smith have been mentioned as possible targets of disciplinary action as well.
Saints head coach Sean Payton is currently serving a year-long suspension for his role in the Bountygate scandal, which consisted of failing put a stop to the so-called “bounty” program and misleading the league about its existence. Current interim head coach Joe Vitt will serve a six-week suspension at the beginning of the NFL regular season and general manager Mickey Loomis will be forced to sit out for eight weeks.
Regarding the current eavesdropping allegations against the New Orleans Saints, Goodell said he would wait, “to see if any credible information,” comes from the ongoing federal investigation.