Roger Goodell Offers Update On Major NFL Drama

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (Photo via Imagn Images)

Roger Goodell Offers Update On Major NFL Drama

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Lou Flavius | Last updated Apr 27, 2026 9:56 PM ET

Things aren’t going smoothly between the NFL and its referees heading into the 2026 season. And Roger Goodell has revealed where things stand.

There was some contention between the parties heading into the draft.

Reports indicate the sides remain very far apart on a new CBA, which has caused friction. However, it would appear they are making some headway, with the tension easing somewhat.

Goodell was one of many guests on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Monday following a weekend of draft excitement.

He insisted that the league wants an agreement with the referees and isn’t keen on a lockout.

“The number one thing is we definitely want an agreement with the officials,” he said. “We’re not itching for a lockout. What we are trying to do, though, is make our officials more accountable, get the best performers on the field, and make officiating better.”

Roger Goodell Wants More From His Officials Despite Praising Their On-Field Performances Every Offseason

Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell talks with Referee Carl Cheffers (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Goodell stressed that the NFL wants better performance from officials, which is a sticking point for him. Of course, he has maintained for years that the refs do a great job, so it’s not an area he should expect any issues, right?

He’s hardly two months removed from lauding them.

“Ultimately that’s what you want, because when the real officials show up and they make a mistake, you’re gonna say the same thing,” he continued. “And so we’ve got to get the best officials out there, train them. If they can’t officiate at this level, we want to be able to make changes, and we don’t want to put people out there that aren’t ready to be able to officiate at this level.”

“So those are the real key issues for us — performance,” the commissioner concluded. “And I’m hopeful that we’re gonna get there without going to a lockout, but that’s something we’ve got to be prepared for, because we’re not gonna stop the season.”

It would seem that Goodell has left himself vulnerable here, as referees could use his own praise against him.

So the league wants better officiating and accountability, while the referees want more money.

In any case, Goodell knows the NFL cannot afford to bring in replacement refs following what happened in 2012.

The referees know it too.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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