NFL, NFL Referees Association moving closer toward new deal, AP source says

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association are moving closer to a new collective bargaining agreement, according to AP reporting, with the union scheduled to vote on ratification this week.

The current agreement is set to expire on May 31, raising the possibility of a work stoppage if the sides cannot finalize a deal. AP said the latest talks have advanced enough for the union to bring the agreement to a vote, a notable shift after earlier reporting described an impasse.

The league had already begun preparing for a possible dispute by onboarding replacement officials last month. That move, along with a contingency replay rule approved by the NFL, signaled that both sides were treating the negotiations seriously.

The labor issue also drew attention from the NFL Players Association, which publicly backed the referees and said player safety requires trained, professional officials.

For now, the key question is whether the union ratifies the tentative agreement and whether the NFL confirms the terms before the current deal expires. If the vote passes, the league would avoid another officiating labor fight just as the offseason calendar speeds toward training camp and the new season.