Updates

Ahead of a season unlike any other, the NFL is adjusting many facets of the game to keep players, staff and officials as safe as possible.

“The 2020 season is going to be different, including for the game officials,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Training and Development Walt Anderson. “We will continue to adapt and adjust and ensure we are in the best possible position to deliver an outstanding officiating performance.”

For the 2020 season, the NFL will assign officiating crews based on geography, limiting travel and allowing individual officials to drive to as many games as possible. This decision was made to mitigate the risk for officials and reduce the number of flights they need to take.

Crew assignment guidelines will be relaxed to assign officials to games closer to their homes, when feasible. Typically, the NFL ensures that officials do not officiate a game involving the same team more than twice in a season, and usually at least six weeks between such games. In 2020, those guidelines will be waived and it will be possible for officials to work multiple games involving the same club.

Other changes for the 2020 season include officials wearing protective equipment and electronic whistles being distributed to all officials.

See the full roster of 2020 NFL officials.