NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the NFL “plans to begin hiring replacement officials before the May 31 expiration of its labor deal” with the NFLRA.

30 March 2026

According to Pelissero, a source familiar with the situation told him “our direction (from owners) is not to be unprepared.” While the decision to begin hiring replacement refs doesn’t mean the replacements will be locked in for Week 1, but the league is being proactive to ensure officials are in place for games with or without a CBA deal.