The NFL employs part-time officials, a practice that appears increasingly unsustainable as the league expands its schedule and seeks to add more games. With collective bargaining negotiations stalled, the NFL is considering hiring replacement referees, despite previous issues stemming from such actions. The referees want to maintain their part-time status while the league aims for performance-based postseason assignments. A proposed solution is to convert officials to full-time status, potentially resolving ongoing disputes and ensuring experienced referees officiate games.
