NFL and referees union close in on avoiding potential replacement officials nightmare

The NFL is privately hopeful it can avoid the nightmare scenario of having Division II, Division III and perhaps even some junior college officials call its games and also avoid activating a remote officiating backstop for the start of the 2026 regular season by coming to an agreement with the referees union as early as Thursday evening.

The league and the NFL Referees Association have made enough progress in their negotiations in recent weeks that the union is expected to vote on the ratification of a new contract...