The NFL is planning to form a never-before-seen practice squad of 12 officials this season. They will be responsible for making calls if a starting referee is unable to fulfil their duty in a game, among other things. This historic development, however, raises the question of why this is happening. 

The shortened offseason is “really centered around individuals who underperformed during the season, and were not assigned to a playoff assignment,” NFL VP of officiating training and development Ramon George told ESPN. 

These developments are based on the new CBA between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA). The league has stated that it wants to evaluate and develop a few practice squad members.

“Those officials will begin to work with their supervisors immediately after the regular season to review each of their calls and identify mistakes in mechanics and positioning. After the review, if necessary, George said he will assign officials to work in the UFL,” Kalyn Kahler and Kevin Seifert wrote on June 20.

This direction is a striking change from the league’s previous methods and stance. Some league insiders are reportedly excited that their long-held point is finally being executed. However, officiating experts are not so welcoming of the NFL’s proposal. 

“Several officiating insiders pointed to this part of the CBA as the most optics-driven aspect -- the shortened offseason is a talking point to make the league appear like it is taking action to fix officiating,” the report read. 

The NFL and the NFLRA were stuck in negotiations for around two years. They only agreed to terms after the threat of a public lockout increased. They agreed to the practise squad and other changes. 

Despite these developments, the NFLRA union was upset at them. 

“The league's public negotiating stance centered on improving the quality of officiating by having more access to officials, because it implied that officials were against the idea of getting better,” an insider told ESPN. 

Yet, here they are, and they are unsure of how these changes will be implemented.

The lasting skepticism over the new CBA work-out

Officiating insiders told ESPN that the NFL’s history of “inaction” is responsible for their skepticism about the expanded offseason and increased training opportunities. The 2019 CBA held a provision that the NFL and the NFLRA would prepare a training and evaluation program together, 

This was never executed. 

“We could have started the program several years ago,” Scott Green, the NFLRA's executive director, told ESPN. “...But the problem became that they just didn't have the people that could work on that while they were working on their usual grading. I give Ramon credit that he is fully intending to move forward on that. Walt Anderson did not show the same interest.”

Their new collaboration is expected to have a solution on things like Tier 3 officials who didn’t work a playoff game. They would also be prepared with staff to support added time with the officials. 

What are your thoughts on this development? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar