Published October 21, 2026 08:13 PM
In July, Broncos coach Sean Payton predicted that the NFL will adopt UFL-style officiating transparency within the next two to three years.
It cold be coming sooner than that.
A Wednesday item from Albert Breer of SI.com includes this nugget: "[P]lanning is underway for more transparency. I’m told the NFL has watched closely at how the ACC and, after the Michigan–Western Michigan debacle, the Big Ten have started televising their replay review process. The idea of doing something similar to show the public replay reviews is being discussed, and work is being done to implement something similar to what we’ve seen in college football very soon, potentially in the coming weeks, and certainly (some in the league office hope) before the end of the regular season.”
It would be stunning if it happens during the current season. The NFL rarely makes significant change while a season is unfolding.
Regardless, it’s better sooner than later, and later than never. The NFL needs to follow the lead of the UFL, the ACC, and the Big Ten. It’s the NFL that’s supposed to be the leader when it comes to football innovation. It’s already behind the times, and the lack of transparency fuels conspiracy theories.
If the league does it, the question becomes whether the league can do it properly. The only thing worse that no transparency would be transparency into a flawed process.
So, yes, be careful what you wish for. Seeing the sausage get made could potentially cause you to swear off eating it.