NFL Referees Association approaching new CBA deal

The 2026 NFL Draft is behind us and the league is preparing for the start of the 2026-27 season. One thing that the league hopes to have completed by then is the new CBA deal with the Referees Association. Kevin Seifert and Kalyn Kahler of ESPN recently shared an update on the new NFL Referees Association approaching this new CBA deal.

The union has agreed to have a redification vote this Thursday night, according to the article. The existing CBA is set to expire on May 31, and the vote would avoid the necessity of using replacement referees this season. We have seen many people against using replacement referees, including Pat McAfee on his show.

NOPE

WE CAN’T BE DOING REPLACEMENT HIGH SCHOOL REFS IN THE NFL AGAIN@NFL, time to start the retired player pipeline.. FOR THE GOOD OF BALL https://t.co/4eI07viBqV pic.twitter.com/JcNzgZpYAS

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 18, 2026

“The NFL began recruiting potential replacement officials from the college ranks in early March, and owners approved a sweeping set of rules that would have allowed league staff members to help officiate games from the NFL headquarters in New York City. Those rules were designed to minimize the type of chaos that occurred when the NFL used replacement officials during a 2012 CBA stalemate. But because they were contingent on the use of replacement officials, the rules approved in March will not apply to the 2026 season, presuming full ratification by May 31.”

“NFL negotiators hoped to utilize the looming CBA expiration to make significant changes to the structure of officiating jobs. Owners wanted to increase the probationary periods for new hires, minimize the use of seniority for postseason and decrease the duration of official’s ‘dark period’ after the season, among other goals.”

Stay tuned, as we will have a clearer vision after the vote on Thursday night.

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