NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter voiced disapproval of the NFL’s potential use of replacement officials in 2026, citing concerns for player safety, in a joint statement released by the NFLPA and NFL Referees Association on Wednesday.
“Player safety requires trained, professional officials on the field,” Tretter said in the release. “They manage the game in real time, enforce the rules, and stop situations from escalating. That can’t be replaced by less experienced crews or handled remotely. If player safety truly matters, trained professional officials on the field are not negotiable.”
Experienced officials matter for player safety.
Read the full joint statement from the NFLPA and NFLRA here: pic.twitter.com/cU8e12hH7g
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 1, 2026
Negotiations between the league and the referees’ union have stalled with the current collective bargaining agreement expiring on May 31. Over the past week, the NFL has taken steps to prepare for the use of replacement officials in the event of a work stoppage by the NFLRA.
According to the release, Tretter met with NFLRA executive director Scott Green to discuss potential fallout if a new deal is not made. One of their points of agreement, according to the release, was their reluctance regarding a newly passed rule that will allow the league’s officiating department to assist on games remotely from New York. NFL team owners approved the one-year rule, which is contingent on an NFLRA work stoppage, during league meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday.
“With multiple games played simultaneously each Sunday, Green and Tretter noted it is unrealistic to expect a remote operation to manage player interactions, de-escalate conflicts, or enforce rules in real time, and warned that less experienced officials are more likely to miss calls or respond late in critical moments, increasing the risk of player injuries,” the release said.
Key sticking points in the CBA negotiations include the NFL’s desire to value performance over seniority in game assignments, training requirements for officials, and pay. If no progress is made, the NFL could begin hiring replacement officials as early as May, The Athletic reported on Sunday, which could make continued negotiations more challenging.
“We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached that avoids past disruptions and ensures the game continues to be officiated at the highest level,” Green said in the release.