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The NFL Just Approved a Fail Mary Insurance Policy. Seattle Fans Know Exactly Why.
NFL owners approved five rule changes for the 2026 season on Tuesday at the annual league meeting in Phoenix, and the headliner is a one-year contingency plan designed to prevent the next Fail Mary. If the referee CBA expires May 31 without a deal, the NFL Officiating Department in New York will have authority to correct “clear and obvious mistakes” by replacement officials during games.
Seattle doesn’t need this explained. We lived through the original. September 24, 2012, Monday Night Football, a replacement official signaling touchdown while his partner signaled interception, and the Seahawks walking out of Lambeau with a 14-12 win that accelerated the end of the lockout. The league settled with the refs two days later. Fourteen years on, the NFL is trying to get ahead of it this time.
The NFLRA walked out of negotiations after less than half a day, and the league’s most recent offer was reportedly a six-year deal with a 6.45 percent annual compensation growth rate. The union wants 10 percent growth and $2.5 million in marketing fees. If no deal is reached, replacement officials will start training May 1.
6.45%
The NFL’s proposed annual compensation growth rate for referees. The NFLRA wants 10%.
Buried deeper in the rule changes: PUP-list players can now begin their 21-day practice window after the team’s second regular-season game instead of after four games. That’s a direct benefit to Zach Charbonnet, who tore his ACL in the divisional round and had surgery on February 20. A nine-month recovery puts him around Thanksgiving, but the new timeline means he could begin practicing as early as late September.
The other changes are more incremental: teams can declare onside kicks at any point during a game, the 50-yard-line kickoff loophole has been closed, and the league can now assist on-field officials with ejection decisions for flagrant acts. The onside kick tweak is the most fun. The old rule only let trailing teams attempt one. Now anyone can, anytime. Chaos, but the regulated kind.
SOURCES →
Roster Building
Schneider’s League Meeting in Five Words: Continuity Is the Strategy
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5
Total free agents lost by the Seahawks this offseason. The 2014 post-Super Bowl Seahawks lost Golden Tate, Chris Clemons, Red Bryant, and Clinton McDonald, among others.
Schneider praised his offensive line continuity, noting all five starters are returning and pointing to young players like Bryce Cabeldue and Mason Richman behind them. He also made it clear that running back isn’t a position that keeps him up at night, echoing Macdonald’s comment that people are “sleeping on the guys we have.” George Holani played well down the stretch. Emanuel Wilson signed for $1.595 million. Charbonnet is coming back eventually.
The real signal was what Schneider didn’t say. No urgency about a veteran edge rusher signing. No hints about trading up in the draft. No panic about only having four picks. The Seahawks lost five free agents total, retained four unrestricted free agents and all seven restricted ones, and now have more roster continuity than any defending champion in recent memory. The front office’s stated philosophy: if it ain’t broke, add more young guys who want to break other things.
SOURCES →
AROUND THE COOP
Around the Coop
Kevin O’Connell says he “expects” Greenard on the Vikings roster this season but left the door conspicuously ajar. The asking price is a Day 2 pick and a $30M/yr extension. That’s a lot of money for a player coming off shoulder surgery and three sacks. Heavy
Macdonald on the running back room: “I think people kind of are sleeping on the guys we have a little bit.” He singled out Holani and Wilson. Najee Harris visited the VMAC last week and the Raiders on Thursday. No signing has been announced. Heavy
The Seahawks are hiring former UW Huskies OC Jimmie Dougherty as an offensive assistant, per Tom Pelissero. Keeping the local pipeline warm. Seattle Sports
NFL owners unanimously approved Camping World Stadium in Orlando as the Jaguars’ temporary home during the 2027 season while their new stadium is built. Jacksonville: always building toward something. NFL.com
NFC WEST SCHADENFREUDE REPORT
RAMS
Sean McVay defended Puka Nacua at the league meeting, saying “I trust this kid’s heart” while also making clear Nacua’s responsibilities extend beyond the field. The extension could drag into summer per Mike Garafolo, and the civil lawsuit hearing is set for April 14. Meanwhile, McVay confirmed the Rams are weighing Kirk Cousins as their backup QB behind Stafford. The most expensive clipboard-holder in NFC West history, and it’s not even close.
NINERS
John Lynch said Sunday he believes the 49ers are on the “precipice of something good happening” with Trent Williams’ contract. He’s been saying some version of this for two months. Williams’ cap hit is $46.3 million with zero guaranteed dollars, and Jason La Canfora reports a “huge divide” remains. Kyle Shanahan’s contribution: “I actually stay pretty much out of that.” A profile in leadership.
CARDINALS
Multiple teams have called Arizona about Marvin Harrison Jr.’s availability, including the Browns. GM Monti Ossenfort is reportedly “more open to having a conversation” about a trade. Harrison caught 41 passes for 608 yards in 12 games last season, lost his WR1 job to Michael Wilson, and is now entering Year 3 under his third coaching staff. The No. 4 overall pick in 2024 is a cautionary tale in real time.
SEACHICKENS TRIVIA
Steve Largent spent his entire 14-year career with the Seattle Seahawks and retired holding every major NFL receiving record. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Largent was also the first Seahawks player inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor, which was established in 1989. Before football, Largent played college ball at a school far from the traditional powerhouses, where he caught 14 touchdowns in both his junior and senior seasons. What university did Largent attend?
Tap to Reveal the Answer
The University of Tulsa. Largent was a fourth-round pick (117th overall) of the Houston Oilers out of Tulsa in 1976 before being traded to the expansion Seahawks for an eighth-round draft pick.
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Twenty-two days to Pittsburgh. The rule book changed. The ref situation didn't. Same as it ever was. Go Hawks. — The Rooster