Don't kid yourself - Goodell will be a key player. Whatever owner/group is to get the green light from the owners, Goodell's role will be to line up the support, lobby the owners, work with the buyer to tweak proposals, etc. He plays a key role. I am not going to panic by his out of process meeting with one potential owner, but he can certainly steer this process, and I would not discount back room maneuvering and helping one or another group in the process that he thinks might best represent the needs and desires of the NFL.
And no, I do not trust him, to answer the original poster's question.