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NFL Is Planning 'Significant' Move To Improve Officiating

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Dec 10, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The NFL certainly has a great product, but an argument can be made that officiating just keeps getting worse each season.

If we just go off Week 14 alone, there were a few officiating controversies that sparked outrage online. The biggest controversy came during Sunday's showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. What appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown for Isaiah Likely was wiped off the board after further review.

The NFL's officiating administration pointed to Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 as to why Likely's touchdown catch was overturned. That rule states that a forward pass is complete after a player secures control of the football, touches the ground inbounds and "clearly performs any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so."

While there might be a few more rough calls made in Week 15, the NFL is planning significant changes for the 2026 season.

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What's next for the NFL?

It was confirmed this Wednesday that the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association will expire in the spring. Apparently, that'll open the door for positive changes to be made.

"NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent informed teams today that the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association ends in May, making this is the final season of the agreement," ESPN's Adam Schefter said. "The league now views this as an opportunity to take significant steps to improve officiating, pending union agreement."

Schefter said the NFL is considering year-round training and development for officials.

Apparently, the NFL is going to prioritize accessibility, flexibility and accountability. There's no question fans have been begging for accountability from refs, so hopefully a new CBA ends up providing a solution to that problem.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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