NFL Onboards Replacement Officials Ahead Of Referees Contract Expiration

The NFL has begun onboarding potential replacement officials as the CBA expiration approaches.

Several replacements have completed background checks and training sessions are scheduled to begin on or near May 1.

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The CBA expires May 31.

The league and NFLRA have been negotiating for nearly two years but reached an impasse this spring.

A meeting last week produced what a league source called progress.

The onboarding process is purely preparation and not a setback in negotiations.

The NFL plans to begin conducting training sessions with officials previously employed on the college ranks.

The replacements could begin working offseason practices on June 1.

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The average NFL official earned $385,000 in 2025.

The NFL has offered the NFLRA a six-year deal averaging 6.45% annual raises.

The league has pushed the NFLRA to allow several fundamental changes to officials' job structure.

Owners passed rule changes to give league staff broad authority to help officiate games via video feeds.

The league remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement.

Whether both sides view May 31 as a real deadline could go a long way toward getting a deal done.

The NFL and NFLRA are expected to meet in the coming days to resume negotiations.

The onboarding was not a setback or stall in negotiations.