The NFL has taken another step toward preparing replacement officials for potential use in the upcoming season, according to multiple verified reports. With the current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Referees Association set to expire on May 31, the league has begun the process of vetting and training candidates who could step in if no modern deal is reached.
Perry Fewell, the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating, informed teams in a memo that several replacement referee candidates have completed background checks and are scheduled to undergo medical examinations. Training sessions with NFL officiating supervisors could commence as early as May, the memo stated, according to reports from ESPN and The Athletic cited by RDS.ca.
The league’s move comes amid ongoing negotiations that have failed to produce a new contract despite nearly two years of discussions. The NFL Referees Association and team owners have been at an impasse over several key issues beyond just compensation, including proposals to extend the probationary period for new officials from three to five years, shorten the offseason to increase training time, and revise the playoff assignment system currently based on seniority.
According to Caucus Football, the NFL has offered a six-year contract with average annual salary increases of 6.45 percent. The outlet noted that the average NFL official earned $385,000 in 2025, though the union has reportedly rejected the offer due to structural changes they argue would undermine the profession.
Despite the league’s preparations, a spokesperson for the NFL Referees Association told Caucus Football that negotiations are ongoing and that the union remains focused on reaching a deal that preserves the integrity and standards of NFL officiating. The association has consistently maintained that any changes to officiating protocols should be negotiated collectively, not imposed unilaterally.
The timeline for a potential operate stoppage remains tight. If no agreement is reached by the May 31 deadline, the league could begin using replacement officials as early as June for minicamps and organized team activities, with the possibility of extending their use into the preseason and regular season depending on the duration of the stalemate.
Historically, the NFL has used replacement officials only once in the modern era — during the 2012 labor dispute — a decision that drew widespread criticism after a series of high-profile errors, most notably the failed Hail Mary call in the Seahawks-Packers game that intensified public pressure and accelerated a resolution to that lockout.
As of now, no official announcement has been made by either side indicating an imminent breakdown in talks. Both the NFL and the referees’ union have emphasized in public statements their preference to avoid a disruption and reach a mutually agreeable settlement before the current contract expires.
The next key date in the process is May 31, when the current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire. Unless a new deal is ratified by that date, the league is expected to move forward with its contingency plan involving replacement officials. Fans, teams, and analysts will be watching closely in the coming weeks for any signs of progress — or further stalemate — in the negotiations.
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