4 things I’m watching during the 2026 NFL season

It is time once again for NFL football! The regular season kicks off Wednesday night, and here are the officiating things I’m watching for in 2026.

1. New kickoff mechanic.

The new kickoff mechanic puts four officials deep with the receivers. The down judge and the line judge are on their sideline at the goal line. The referee is now joined by the umpire, roughly at the hash marks, on the goal line. The umpire used to be on the sideline up-field. Last year, film showed the officials missing illegal blocks during the dynamic kickoff. The NFL decided to have another set of eyes key on blocks in the middle of the field. We will see if this means more free kick flags.

2. Instant replay can put down a flag for flagrant fouls and “non-football” acts.

It could be argued that the officials missed a disqualifying foul during Super Bowl LX. Under the old rules, the NFL could step in and advise the officials to eject a player only if the officials threw a flag for a personal foul. For 2026, a rule change allows for instant replay to step in and put a flag down for “flagrant fouls and non-football acts.” So if the officials miss a cheap shot, instant replay will step in and penalize. This rule does not apply for other fouls like holding, pass interference, false start, and offside … for now.

3. How will the “bench” officials work?

Part of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the officials’ union, is that the NFL will hire more officials – characterized by the media as “bench officials.” Well, officials don’t get any better sitting and watching, so how will this work? Will this work like an expanded “swing officials” system where new(er) officials are rotated in for a game or two and the regular crew member has a week or two off? Will this be used to issue a consequence to an official? As in, “You missed two big calls last week, so we’re sitting you for two weeks.” I hope “bench officials” aren’t used as negative reinforcement. You can’t officiate scared. But, if more officials get the chance to audition for a regular job, or get a chance to work pro ball, that can only help. Ramon George, vice president of officiating, wants the best officials in the NFL. A larger field to pick from might be good in the long run.

4. My Super Bowl “kiss of death” predictions.

Every year, I predict who will work the Super Bowl. Every once in awhile this blind ref finds his whistle and correctly predicts one or two officials. So, with apologies to the officials, I predict the Super Bowl LXI crew will be:

• Referee – John Hussey
• Umpire – Duane Heydt
• Down judge – Jerod Phillips
• Line judge – Greg Bradley
• Field judge – Mearl Robinson
• Side judge – Dale Shaw
• Back judge – Grantis Bell

In the words of the late, great, Red Cashion, “Gentlemen, let’s play football!”