FILE - Referee Land Clark annouces a penalty during the second half of an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association agreed Friday on a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement that avoids a potential work stoppage and use of replacement officials.

The agreement, which was approved by the union’s board of directors and ratified by a vote of the membership, runs through the 2032 NFL season.

“We see this new CBA as a partnership with the league that benefits our membership but also seeks to make our game better. It is good to get these negotiations behind us so we can focus on preparing for the 2026 season,” union President Carl Cheffers said.

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the referees association had been set to expire on May 31, and the two sides began negotiating in the summer of 2024.

The league began the onboarding process for replacement officials last month because negotiations weren’t progressing. But they won’t be necessary.

The league and the union said in a joint statement that the deal covers a wide range of issues including economics, performance and accountability.

“This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating,” said Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. “It also speaks to the game officials’ relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game.”

Detailed terms weren’t released.

The NFL had sought increased access to officials in the offseason, a practice squad or bench of officials, a new formal training program and control of playoff assignments based on performance. A person with knowledge of the new deal told The Associated Press those priorities were met in the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because contract details weren’t publicized.

A stalemate in 2012 resulted in a 110-day lockout and replacement referees were used.

That led to several high-profile mistakes, including the Fail Mary when Russell Wilson completed a desperation pass to Golden Tate in the closing seconds to lift Seattle over Green Bay in a Monday night game. Tate pushed off so he should’ve been penalized for offensive pass interference. He appeared to wrestle the ball away from a Packers defender and was given credit for a catch even though two officials had called it differently.

There weren’t as many glaring errors when the NFL also used replacement officials for one week of exhibition games and the opening week in 2001 before the labor dispute was resolved shortly after 9/11, and the regular officials returned in time when the season resumed following a one-week break.

Hall extended

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Breece Hall got the big contract he desired and the New York Jets are keeping the engine of their offense for at least a few more years.

The Jets and Hall agreed Friday on a three-year extension worth $45.75 million, according to a person familiar with the deal. The team had used the franchise tag on Hall, whose contract — which will pay him $15.25 million per year — makes him the third-highest paid running back in the NFL.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Jets didn’t announce the deal.

“Cried for the first time since I tore my ACL,” Hall posted on X, referring to his season-ending injury as a rookie in 2022. “This day really hit different for me man.”

Based on annual salary, Hall’s $15.25 million per year is behind Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey ($19 million). It’s slightly higher than the $15 million Baltimore’s Derrick Henry is scheduled to make.

McManus released

Veteran kicker Brandon McManus was released by the Green Bay Packers on Friday two weeks after they drafted his potential replacement.

McManus’ exit leaves rookie sixth-round pick Trey Smack and Lucas Havrisik as the two kickers on Green Bay’s roster.

The Packers announced the move and McManus posted a farewell to Green Bay on social media and thanked the organization, its fans and his teammates.

“From the moment I arrived, you welcomed me and my family with open arms and made us feel at home,” McManus said. “The support, kindness, and passion you’ve shown mean more than words can express.”

Case dismissed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A misdemeanor domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Dave Merritt has been dismissed without prejudice, less than three weeks after the longtime NFL coach entered a plea of not guilty and was released from jail in Johnson County, Kansas.

The 54-year-old Merritt spent several years playing linebacker in the NFL before becoming one of the best defensive backs coaches in the league. He has been with the Chiefs since 2019, and including his time with the Giants, has helped teams win five Super Bowls.

He took part in the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp last weekend.

Elsewhere:

– General manager George Paton signed a five-year contract with the Denver Broncos on Friday that runs through the 2030 season. Paton had a year left on his contract when he signed the new deal, which owner and CEO Greg Penner said “reflects our confidence in his leadership, vision and the overall direction of our team.”

– Journeyman quarterback Taylor Heinicke, whose unusual path to the NFL helped him become a fan favorite in Washington, retired from the league. The 33-year-old Heinicke posted a goodbye message on social media.