Jonathan Vilma, the Saints Linebacker at the center of Bountygate, has been offered a deal by the NFL to reduce his year long suspension to eight games in exchange for Vilma dropping his civil suit against the league.

Details from ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen and Ed Werder (no word on whether Chris Broussard got a text as well)

The league’s offer was made late last week but it is conditional upon Vilma dropping a civil lawsuit charging commissioner Roger Goodell with defamation of character, sources said. Vilma has expressed his strong feelings about his tainted reputation.

Some people had their doubts on Vilma taking on the league office, but it looks like it might be working. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the next few days.