NFL preparing for replacement refs: Worst call ever versus the Browns
NFL is preparing for replacement refs which got us to thinking about the worst calls against the Cleveland Browns ever
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 2, 2016: Running back Duke Johnson #29 of the Cleveland Browns shows the ball to line judge Sarah Thomas #53 after she signals a fumble recovery for Washington during a game on October 2, 2016 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Washington won 31-20. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images One of the things that makes football great is the number of variables involved in the game.
Not only are there 22 players on the field, more than basketball and baseball combined, but weather, field conditions, the fans, and the referees can all impact the game in a variety of ways. For the Cleveland Browns, all of those variables, on top of decisions on the coaching staff , front office, free agency , and the NFL draft , have led to a lot of losses since The Return in 1999. In the Browns history , the game officials have made some bad calls, as they have with all teams, but they are not even close to the primary reason for the team’s struggles.
Heading into the 2026 season, replacement referees might become the big story for the NFL: The NFL is laying groundwork for hiring replacement officials this season if the league is unable to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association, per @SeifertESPN . https://t. co/wjYgkZTXmZ — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2026 As noted in the article, the league used replacement officials in 2013, and it “was universally criticized by coaches and players…” The final game with replacement officials was the “Fail Mary” ruling: The Fail Mary.
The night “what just happened? ” echoed across the league. Debate ongoing.