NFL replacement refs won’t have to be that good to measure up to the real ones

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Referee Clete Blakeman #34 announces a penalty between the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images Is there a group of people more universally hated than NFL referees?

If you had to assemble a Mount Rushmore of people/things no one likes, in no particular order, the monument would consist of NFL refs, the orc who kills Boromir in The Fellowship of the Ring , Duke basketball, and the ending of How I Met Your Mother. NFL referees are hands down the worst group of officials in major American sports. MLB umpires are a solid No.

2, and the ABS system is making fools out of them to the rejoice of America . And while hate is a strong word, it’s also an appropriate one for a group of people who are so collectively inept that it takes away from the sport in which many people’s lives revolve around. Now, the NFL is preparing for a referee lockout as negotiations with the NFLRA have stalled.

This has led to the NFL hiring several college referees to begin prepping on May 1st to serve as replacement referees. Many remember 2012, which was the last time the NFL used replacement refs, an it was an outright disaster that ended with the “Fail Mary. ” However, this specific situation is tremendous for the NFL because of concerning patterns regarding the current group of officials, which could lead to replacement refs being welcome additions and solving a lot of problems.