NFL, NFL Referees Association agree to new CBA, ending replacement officials plan

Rejoice and be merry, there won't be another "Fail Mary" − at least not on the watch of officials who aren't NFL-caliber.

That's because the league and the NFL Referees Association agreed on Friday, May 8, to a new collective bargaining agreement, replacing the CBA that was set to expire on May 31 and ending the possibility that replacement officials would be necessary going into the 2026 season. The new pact will run through the 2032 season.

Prior to the new CBA's ratification, the NFL had been laying the groundwork to use replacement officials − from both the recruitment process and rule modifications for the upcoming season which would have allowed for more involvement from the league office in New York to preside over games remotely and use instant replay more broadly than is normally permitted. However New York's more widespread involvement was only to be implemented in the event replacement officials were necessary.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Referee Shawn Smith gives a thumbs-up prior to the start of Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Another lockout of the officials was evidently a road neither side wanted to go down again after the largely disastrous performance of replacement officials in 2012, the final straw being the infamous "Fail Mary" game in Seattle − when Seahawks receiver Golden Tate was credited with a game-winning touchdown catch on the final play of a Week 3 Monday night game on ESPN. The NFL later admitted Tate committed offensive pass interference prior to the catch, while there was widespread debate as to whether he even had legal possession of then-rookie quarterback Russell Wilson's last-ditch heave or if Green Bay Packers safety M.D. Jennings intercepted it. The league claimed Tate caught the ball, while most viewers of the game (including broadcasters and players) felt like Jennings came down with the ball, before Tate took it from him. One official signaled TD after the play, another ruled it a touchback, indicating an interception.

Awarded the reception, Tate and the Seahawks won the game 14-12. The 2012 lockout of the league's regular officials ended days later, and they were back on the job for Week 4.

This story will be updated.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL, referees reach new CBA agreement, avoid replacement officials