NFL owners are "alarmed" by the state of negotiations with the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA), leading to the hiring and onboarding replacement officials. The NFL began recruiting college-level officials earlier this month and is expected to approve a set of replay enhancements for replacement officials in upcoming games. However, sources suggest that reaching an agreement with the union could be a challenge due to wide differences in their proposals. The league's collective bargaining agreement with NFLRA expires May 31. Sources suggest that the NFL has offered a six-year deal averaging annual raises of 6.45%. The league has also pushed for fundamental changes to officials' job structure, including increasing the probationary period for new officials from three to five years and reducing the requirement for lower performing officials to work spring football games.