NFL officiating stinks. Here are 10 ways to fix it.

Aside from a 3^rd-and-20 all-out blitz by the Dolphins that was so ill-advised that it bordered on negligent, Monday night’s Miami-Pittsburgh game was largely forgettable. Per usual, however, an official review took center stage, and the only thing that fans of both teams could agree on was that the process was laborious, ruining the flow of the game. 

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin’s challenge of a scramble for an apparent first down by Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was successful. But it was a failure for the NFL, highlighting once again major issues with how games are officiated. The NFL generated approximately $15 billion in revenue in 2018, so it’s long past time the league allots some of that money to fix its officiating problems.

Here are 10 officiating improvements that should either speed games or stem the weekly tide of criticism that far too often overshadows who wins and loses:

Sky judge

The concept is simple and would do more than anything else to fix officiating woes. An extra official should sit in the press box with access to multiple camera angles for replay. Functioning as the “eye in the sky,” this person would have the power to buzz game officials on the field if a call is missed. If implemented properly, this would eliminate the challenge system altogether, and all the judge would have to do is buzz the head referee to stop the action if a play warrants further review. The league needs this for 2020 in the worst way.

Microchip technology 

Did the ball cross the goal line or not? Spotting the football is an inexact science, and microchip technology could help with all of the little details that officials get wrong. Each player’s shoulder pads already have a chip implanted to track their on-field movements, and the footballs themselves are also micro-chipped. If the technology is already being used to gather data, it should be used to better officiate the game.

Good-bye, chain gang

Tomlin’s challenge Monday night set off a torturous process whereby the football was re-spotted and the play re-measured. One problem: The chain gang had already moved down the field, assuming a first down had been earned. The whole mess took several minutes to resolve, but if laser technology were used instead, problems like that would be a thing of the past. Coupled with microchip technology for more accurate spotting, the league would have a foolproof system. If you love the drama that the chain gang provides, I’m sorry. You’ll get over it when they are gone.

Full-time officials

This is long overdue, and more than anything else, a byproduct of owner greed. Many NFL officials have lucrative day jobs, and as such, they aren’t as consumed with football as perhaps they should be. Every other “Big Four” sport has full-time officials; the NFL should follow suit, particularly considering the amount of money wagered on the league every week. Full-time officials should regularly study film, get a better handle on rules and be paid more than the current part-timers receive.  

Strike a deal with the XFL 

The XFL and NFL can have a symbiotic relationship. How could it work? The NFL backs the league financially, ensuring its solvency, and in exchange, the XFL serves as a true minor league. Rules changes can be field-tested in the XFL before making their way up to the main event. Oh, and our newly minted full-time officials can work XFL games in the NFL’s off-season to stay sharp. The only loser in this scenario might be the NCAA, which might lose access to quality officials. I suspect most won’t be shedding too many tears on its account.

Swallow the whistles

Too many plays that could change games are blown dead because officials rule what might be a fumble a forward pass. With a sky judge involved, no play should ever be halted prematurely if there is even a slight chance that it could take points off the board. Better to be overly safe than sorry, particularly in a situation where sorry could alter the outcome of a game, or a season.

Make pass interference a 15-yard penalty – with a caveat

The most influential penalty in the sport must have its power curtailed. It is wildly out of whack with other fouls, and creates too much of a potential advantage for the offense. It should be a spot foul under 15 yards, then 15 for everything else, except in egregious cases where a touchdown can reasonably be assumed without interference from the defending player. In those cases, award the touchdown.

Recruit retired players

An attractive post-playing career path for many retired players is a spot in the media or as a coach. Why not incentivize them to start a career in officiating? The average age of an NFL official is 51. The game is fast, and it stands to reason that former players would be quick to pick up on the rules. Perhaps they'd be in better physical shape than the current roster of refs. Their knowledge of the game surely would translate to quality officiating.

Be accountable to media 

Athletes who screw up and then address issues with the media tend to be lauded. Same thing goes for coaches; either way, both groups often answer for their performance. Officials, whose calls often determine games and swing seasons, should face the media after every game -- and not just a pool reporter.

Treat officials like players when it comes to contracts

Player contracts aren’t fully guaranteed, but better, more proven players get longer guarantees and more money. The same should be true for officials. They're already graded, and can lose their jobs if they perform poorly, but standards should be even higher. The NFL game official holds a powerful, influential job. It is difficult, and few people can do it well. Performance evaluations should reflect that reality.