NFL has a plan in place to train replacement referees for 2026

Q: What is the deadline for the NFL to reach a deal with the referees union?

The NFL has until May 31 to reach a labor deal with the referees union before training replacement referees.

Q: When will the NFL start training replacement referees?

The NFL will begin training replacement referees next month, with the goal of preparing them for team visits starting June 1.

Q: When was the last time the NFL used replacement referees?

The last time the NFL used replacement referees was in 2012, and it would happen again if a labor deal is not reached by the deadline.

The NFL is officially preparing for the worst as it relates to the referees in the upcoming season. As labor talks continue to seemingly go nowhere, the league announced it will begin training replacement referees for the upcoming season.

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero the plan and news of it all is as follows.

"The NFL informed clubs today it will begin training replacement officials next month with the goal of preparing them for team visits starting June 1 if no deal can be reached with the referees union, per a memo obtained by NFL Network. Negotiations will continue between the NFL and NFLRA later this week. The current labor deal expires May 31."

Pelissero also added that the NFL is asking teams to send in their OTA and mandatory minicamp schedules by April 22. The purpose of that early deadline is to ensure replacement referees are assigned for those team visits if a labor deal can't be reached with the NFLRA. If a labor deal cannot be reached in advance, it would mark the first time since 2012 that the league would be forced to use replacement referees.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL will train referees as they prepare for the worst