<p>The NFL and its officiating union agreed on a seven-year collective-bargaining agreement Friday, eliminating the threat of the league using replacement officials in game action this year.</p><p>The current CBA was set to expire May 31.</p><p>The deal was approved by the NFLRA board and directors and then, on Friday, its membership. In a statement, NFL executive vice president of operations Troy Vincent called the deal “a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating.” NFLRA president Carl Cheffers said it was “good to get these negotiations behind us so we can focus on preparing for the 2026 season.”</p><p>The NFL wanted greater access to officials in the offseason. At the NFL’s annual meeting earlier this spring, league officials passed a rule that would have allowed assistance from replay to help replacement officials call a game this fall.