The NFL has created this problem because their punishment system has been way too arbitrary and confusing.
Even if they collectively bargain that Goodell can be judge, jury and executioner, that still doesn't hold up in court/arbitration if he's completely crazy and inconsistent in his rulings.
There's a reason the NFL is losing every time a player takes them to court. And now that players have shown how to defeat them, there's no reason anyone suspended just doesn't sue the crap out of them.
The NFL's policy of punishment based on whichever way the media/fan wind blows has been flawed for YEARS. Despite the hatred here of all things Patriots there is no way (based on historical context) that this is a 4-game violation. The Vikings got a $25,000 fine for heating/drying (which increases pressure) balls just last year. And there has NEVER been a solid, scientifically accurate modus operendi when it comes to ball pressure during games. To just randomly measure football pressure in ONE game at halftime (I'm not sure this has ever been done before) and conclude something is wrong is the most illogical thing ever and will never stand up to courtroom scrutiny.
If players were smart they would have sued like crazy back when the league just decided arbitrarily to increase fines for big hits by a factor of 10 halfway in the middle of a season too, but the NFLPA were ******* looking for a new deal.
Now that the CBA is in place for the next half decade, players can sue and change the precedent of all things Roger Goodell. And that's exactly what is happening. The NFL's legal team is in total retreat mode because they bit off WAY more than they could legally chew.