There will be no replacement officials for the 2026-27 season. The NFL and the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) have come together and reached a new collective bargaining agreement that will last for seven years, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The current deal was set to expire on May 31.
The league avoids a strike and can now move forward with the union. Commissioner Roger Goodell takes pride in having a stuffed NFL calendar, and he will no longer have to worry about any potential work stoppage. There was a real possibility that replacement refs would be used for the first time since 2012, but both sides got to work.
“This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating,” NFL executive vice president of football operations and former All-Pro cornerback Troy Vincent said in a statement, per Garafolo. “It also speaks to the game officials' relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game.”
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NFL refs will reportedly get significant raises, something they had been fighting for during the last couple of years. They can now put all their energy into the new campaign.
“We see this new CBA as a partnership with the league that benefits our membership but also seeks to make our game better,” NFLRA president Carl Cheffers said. “It is good to get these negotiations behind us so we can focus on preparing for the 2026 season.”
Referees will continue to be endlessly scrutinized, to be clear, but this development is certainly better than the alternative. Fans hope the new CBA will lead to a cleanly officiated year of football.
There will be no replacement officials for the 2026-27 season. The NFL and the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) have come together and reached a new collective bargaining agreement that will last for seven years, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The current deal was set to expire on May 31. The league avoids a strike and can now move forward with the union.