NFLPA Is “Closely Monitoring” As League Faces Serious Issue With Referees

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The NFL faces a tough situation ahead of the 2026 season. The NFL referees’ union battles for a new labor deal, which puts them in a complex spot with the league. While the league wouldn’t mind using replacement officials, the NFL players’ union doesn’t love that possibility.

In a statement issued to ProFootballTalk, the NFLPA said it is monitoring the situation between the competition and the referees’ union.

“This is not just a labor issue between the league and officials,” the NFLPA said. “This directly impacts the working conditions of our player members. We are closely monitoring the situation.”

NFLPA Executive Director Wants To Keep Tabs In Negotiations

Recently appointed NFLPA executive director JC Tretter explained that he wants to get a gauge on the state of negotiations.

“I’m going to talk to the refs’ union,” Tretter said. “I’ll talk to [Commissioner] Roger [Goodell], too. I’ve got to get an understanding and background information of what’s going on. They’re in negotiations now, so that’ll take time.”

He insists that he wants the referees to get fair treatment and be paid as they deserve. After a 2025 season that saw referees put on questionable performances, fans might not like to see the NFLPA pushing to help referees.