NFL Replacement Refs Reportedly Being Onboarded amid Negotiations with Officials Union

The NFL reportedly is getting closer to bringing in replacement refs for the 2026 season amid negotiations with the NFL Referees Association.

Per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Perry Fewell, the league's senior vice president of officiating, informed teams on Wednesday that the NFL has started onboarding potential replacement officials.

According to Seifert, "several" potential replacements underwent background checks with NFL security and are preparing to have physical examinations. From there, online and in-person training sessions are set to begin on May 1.

In his memo to teams, Fewell noted that clubs will soon receive a tentative schedule for replacement refs' availability during OTAs and minicamps if the NFL and the officials' union have not reached a deal by June 1.

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024, but the May 31 deadline to make a new deal is approaching.

The league reportedly began eyeing replacement referees from the college and high school level last month. CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported in March that the two sides "do not appear any closer on a deal," adding that one source "said the referee union refused to engage in ways to improve officiating performance" during talks.

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association met on Thursday, where talks reportedly were "productive."

While the two sides may have gotten closer to a new CBA last week, they apparently haven't gotten close enough for the league to stop the process of bringing in replacement referees.

The NFL hired replacement referees during the 2012 season as it and the officials' union continued discussions, but a deal was ultimately reached just a few weeks into the campaign.