In 2020, the Baltimore Ravens proposed that a “sky judge” be added to NFL officiating crews, which would add an eighth referee across the league.
While the proposal made sense and seemed to gain a bit of momentum within league circles, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Baltimore has pulled the proposal.
The #Ravens have withdrawn their proposal to add an eighth official off the field (AKA the “sky judge”), but the competition committee’s proposal for expanded booth-to-official communication with video has strong support among coaches and is likely to pass next week, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 16, 2021
Even with Baltimore’s submission no longer in play, Pelissero also reported that the NFL is likely to pass “expanded booth-to-official communication with video” that would help in multiple facets of the game.
Here is the language of the competition committee’s proposal, which will allow the replay official and members of the officiating department in New York to advise on-field officials on specific, objective aspects of a play based on video evidence. A big, and popular, change. pic.twitter.com/ipV1tftFMe
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 16, 2021
Pelissero also notes that replay officials and others who are in New York will not be able to change some calls or pick up any flag, but will still have the ability to share their input and try to guide the referees on the field to the right conclusion.
Important note: The replay official and those in New York cannot throw, or pick up, a flag under this proposal. But when it comes to some calls that are clear on TV — possession of the ball, complete/incomplete, down by contact, etc. — they'll be allowed to help correct them.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 16, 2021
If passed, this is a big step for the NFL. The push to add more eyes so that calls are made correctly has been in the works for a long time, with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh being a big advocate.
The outcome of a game should be determined by the players and coaches, not by the officials. The game will benefit from having more people who can see a play and determine the right course of action for an important call or penalty.