The NFL has issued a directive to teams as uncertainty grows over ongoing labor negotiations with the NFL Referees Association. With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on May 31, the league is preparing for the possibility of using replacement officials.
According to reports, the National Football League plans to begin training replacement referees next month. Teams have been instructed to submit their offseason schedules by April 22, allowing the league to organize officiating assignments for organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamps starting June 1 if no agreement is reached.
The move reflects ongoing tensions in negotiations, with key disagreements over evaluation systems and officiating assignments. The league is advocating for a performance-based model, while the referees’ union aims to preserve existing structures.
This situation recalls the 2012 referee lockout, when replacement officials were used temporarily at the start of the season. League officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining high officiating standards while preparing for all possible outcomes ahead of the deadline.