Furious Pat McAfee sounds off on NFL’s controversial 2026 officiating shakeup with history of disaster

The NFL is on the brink of a major change in 2026.

According to ESPN, the NFL is reportedly ‘laying groundwork’ for hiring replacement officials for the upcoming season amid ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA).

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The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is due to expire at the end of May and an agreement between both parties is yet to be reached.

NFL could replace officials if CBA isn’t reached

News of replacement officials was first reported by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who wrote that league was focusing on identifying officials from ‘small college’ conferences in the event that a new CBA isn’t reached.

Per ESPN, those officials, from a list of around 150 small colleges, could begin onboarding as early as April before attending a four-day clinic in May. They would then continue training throughout the summer and make visits to training camps before the regular season begins.

The prospect of officials from lower-level colleges and minor professional leagues taking charge of NFL games has caused widespread concern.

Former NFL punter turned ESPN personality Pat McAfee took to social media to encourage both sides to come together ‘for the good of ball.’

“NOPE,” he wrote on X.

“WE CAN’T BE DOING REPLACEMENT HIGH SCHOOL REFS IN THE NFL AGAIN.”

“We need you to care about the game,” he said.

‘Fail Mary Game’ was a low point for NFL in 2012

McAfee alluded to 2012, the last time there was a lockout of officials, which lasted 110 days.

The highly controversial period saw ‘scab’ officials replace NFL referees for the first three weeks of the season. What followed was some of the most egregiously called games in NFL history, culminating with the infamous ‘Fail Mary Game.’

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The ‘Fail Mary’ ruling occurred during a Week 3 Monday Night Football clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers.

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson won the game after finding Golden Tate in the end zone for a last second touchdown.

However, one official ruled an interception after Packers safety M.D. Jennings had caught the ball, sparking mass confusion both inside the stadium and among fans at home.

The officials ultimately decided to award the TD to the Seahawks, who won the game 14-12, which caused widespread outrage across the league.

Unsurprisingly, within a matter of days, the NFL reached a new agreement with referees and signed a new CBA.

“Frankly I’m surprised they would even consider it after 2012,” NFLRA executive director Scott Green told ESPN, amid fears a repeat could happen again this year.

The NFL reportedly declined commented.

It remains to be seen if an agreement can be struck in time for the start of the new season.

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