Sports

NFL Referees Association Inches Closer To New Deal For 2026 Season

By Chris Rosvoglou The Spun
NFL referee Terry McAulay.
NFL referee Terry McAulay. © Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

Will the NFL start the 2026 season with replacement refs? That's a legitimate concern that fans have right now.

The NFL's collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association is set to expire on May 31. If a new deal isn't reached before Week 1, the league will have no choice but to use replacement refs.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that training sessions for replacement refs would take place this month since offseason practices will ramp up in June. However, he said the NFL "remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with the NFL Referees Association but will be fully prepared should the current agreement expire."

Well, it sounds like the NFL is about to put its money where it's mouth is.

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; NFL line judge Jeff Seeman (left) and referee Shawn Smith (14) discuss a call during the fourth quarter between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; NFL line judge Jeff Seeman (left) and referee Shawn Smith (14) discuss a call during the fourth quarter between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert and Kalyn Kahler, the NFL Referees Association's negotiations with the league have improved enough that the union has scheduled a meeting for this Thursday to vote on the new CBA.

If the NFL Referees Association agrees on the offer, it'll effectively end any chatter about replacement officials. As of this moment though, terms for this agreement aren't available to the public.

NFL fans thrilled with this update.

The NFL had replacement refs for the first three weeks of the 2012 season. They botched the finish of a "Monday Night Football" game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, which ended up leading to a new deal for the union.

Obviously, fans don't want history to repeat itself.

"Thank god," one fan replied. "Nobody needs another fail mary."

"Excellent. Nobody wants replacement referees. Fans, owners and especially the networks that carry the games," a second fan commented.

"Would be great for everyone if this gets done now," another person said.

Hopefully, Thursday night's meeting goes very well for both the NFL and NFL Referees Association.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 6:44 PM.