With mounting tensions between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association, the league is ready with a contingency plan. So far, the two sides haven’t reached common ground on the new collective bargaining agreement. As the NFL quietly prepares for a potential lockout by bringing in replacement referees, former punter Pat McAfee isn’t holding back. Having played through the 2012 season with a similar scenario, he’s not letting referees off the hook. He’s calling for accountability and commitment.

“Nope, can’t be doing that,” McAfee said on X. “What we need is these refs to understand that they’re not perfect. We want them to adapt to modern technology. We want them to be for the good of the game, not just for the good of each other, okay? Come on, refs, we need you. But we also need you not to be a– in the biggest moments. We need you to care about the game; we need you to have a little bit of feel. We need you to be committed to what ball is.”

The current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFLRA will run through May 2026. Despite the clock ticking for negotiating a new agreement, there has been no progress. If the situation persists, the NFL plans to replace the current referees with subpar options. No wonder McAfee is so concerned. This isn’t the first time the league plans to adopt such an approach.

In 2012, a referee lockout lasted 110 days and spilled into the regular season until week 3. Back then, the NFL turned to replacements from lower levels, high school games, smaller colleges, and even minor leagues. McAfee himself was punting for the Indianapolis Colts during that stretch. That aftermath was chaotic, with one decision remaining fresh in everyone’s mind: the infamous Fail Mary ruling.

In that game, the two replacement judges remained divided between an incomplete pass and a touchdown. That controversial call handed the Seattle Seahawks a 14-12 win over the Green Bay Packers, triggering outrage across the league. It was a serious dip in game quality, and that’s exactly what McAfee fears. While Pat clarified he respects referees, he doesn’t like the idea of them holding their ground just to keep the NFL “hostage.”

Describing the last lockout as “terrible days,” he recalled how these refs struggled to make basic in-game decisions, such as spotting where a punt went out of bounds. Next, the sports analyst explained why the situation had reached such a terrible stage in the first place. It was the fear of being an outlier or what McAfee calls a “scab.” He highlighted how many qualified college referees avoided stepping in during the lockout because they didn’t want to go against the union.

The move left those games in the hands of underqualified officials. In the end, Pat McAfee believes both sides need to find a middle ground and prioritize what’s best for the game. Now, here’s a look at the league’s demands for the new CBA and its potential moves.

The NFL plans to bring 150 replacement refs, fueling Pat McAfee’s fears

The NFL held committee meetings earlier this month in Palm Beach, Florida, where the owners learned about the latest status of collective bargaining agreement negotiations. And they were reportedly not happy with the outcome. The NFL issued a memo last year detailing its key agenda for the next CBA. According to the document, the NFL planned to implement changes that would improve the performance of game officials, increase accountability, and assign performance-based roles.

However, the union hasn’t welcomed the proposal and is even seeking to restrict the league’s access to referees in certain areas. With no progress in sight, the league is once again staring at a situation it hoped to avoid. Per emails reviewed by ESPN, the NFL seeks 150 officials from small colleges by this weekend. Their onboarding could start next month, with a four-day training program in May.

If the league and the association still can’t reach a deal by then, the replacement referees will continue training through the summer and will make training camp visits. At the time of publication, the NFL hasn’t commented on the situation. However, the NFLRA executive director Scott Green didn’t stay mum. He raised concerns about the league’s plan, suggesting it could lead to bigger issues beyond just terrible on-field judgments.

Green believes the replacement officials could be more vulnerable to gambling-related pressures. Moreover, he questioned the safety of players, arguing that unseasoned referees may not keep up with the speed and physicality of a typical NFL game. It could put players at risk.

“Frankly, I’m surprised they would even consider it after 2012,” Green said.

Nevertheless, the NFL made it clear last year that it wants change. The focus, they said, is on improving officiating, holding officials more accountable, and making sure the very best are the ones handling the biggest moments. But on the other side, the NFL Referees Association isn’t so quick to embrace that vision. They’re holding their ground, pushing to keep things the way they’ve been, or even limit how much control the league has over officials. And that’s where things get complicated.