PHOENIX — The NFL’s competition committee approved a one-year rule for the upcoming season that would allow the replay center in New York to correct “clear and obvious mistakes made by on-field officials that impact the game” in case of a work stoppage involving the NFL Referees Association.

It was one of multiple rules changes announced Tuesday at the league’s annual meetings.

The league is moving forward with plans to begin hiring and training replacement officials in the next several weeks because negotiations with the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with knowledge of the discussions have told The Associated Press. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversations are private.

The league and the NFL Referees Association have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024. The current CBA expires May 31.

Another rule change approved Tuesday allows the replay center in New York to consult with on-field officials when considering ejections for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts that weren’t called on the field.

The change comes after Pittsburgh receiver DK Metcalf wasn’t ejected from a game at Detroit last season when he got into an altercation with a heckling fan. Because the on-field officials didn’t see when Metcalf swiped at the fan and so didn’t throw a flag, the replay center was unable to eject Metcalf.

There were also three rules that affect kickoffs, including one that permits the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game, regardless of the score. Previously, only the trailing team could attempt an onside kick.

Female official suing

NEW YORK — In a new lawsuit, one of the first three women to officiate an NFL game describes her three years at the pinnacle of her profession as a descent into the grip of a sexist institution unable to treat a woman as an equal.

Robin DeLorenzo cited gender-based scrutiny, humiliation and open hostility among the indignities she suffered from 2022 to 2025 as a league official. The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, filed Friday, sought reinstatement along with unspecified damages.

An NFL spokesperson said DeLorenzo was terminated following three seasons of underperformance and called the lawsuit baseless. A message seeking comment from the NFL Referees Association was not immediately returned.

Temporary home for Jags

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play most of their 2027 home games in Orlando after NFL owners rubber-stamped a proposal that has been years in the making and essentially a done deal for months.

Owners voted unanimously at the league’s annual meetings in Arizona to allow the team to temporary relocate next year’s home slate during the final stages of a $1.4 billion stadium renovation.

Jacksonville started searching for a home away from home when it unveiled plans for a “stadium of the future” in 2023. Camping World Stadium in Orlando was the front-runner. And it became a no-brainer when Orlando leaders cleared a $10 million sports-incentive package to help land the Jaguars earlier this year.