The NFL and its referees have officially secured a game plan for the long haul. On Friday, the league and the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) ratified a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement, ensuring that the men and women in stripes will be on the field through the 2032 season. The deal comes just weeks before the previous CBA was set to expire on May 31, averting what could have been a messy situation for football fans everywhere.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the newly approved deal includes several key upgrades for officials. Among the highlights: increased offseason access for referees, the development of an official "bench" system to groom future talent, and a brand-new formal training program. It’s a win for consistency and professionalism—two things every quarterback (and fantasy owner) can appreciate.

This ratification didn’t come out of nowhere. News broke earlier in the week that the NFLRA had scheduled a ratification vote for Friday, and by the end of the day, multiple sources confirmed it passed. The agreement marks the end of a lengthy negotiation process that had stalled over the winter and was heating up as the May 31 deadline loomed. With the new CBA in place, the NFL can now scrap its contingency plans—including the dreaded return of replacement officials.

Just this spring, NFL owners had approved a set of conditional rules that would have gone into effect if replacement officials were needed. Those rules would have given the league’s New York City officiating command center more authority to consult with on-field refs on a range of penalties, both called and uncalled, as well as other administrative procedures. The league had even started recruiting replacement officials from the college ranks back in March, according to ESPN.

For those who remember the 2012 season, the thought of replacement officials brings back some painful memories. That year, a lockout of NFL officials led to three weeks of replacement refs, culminating in the infamous "Fail Mary"—a controversial call that awarded the Seattle Seahawks a game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers. It’s a moment that still haunts refereeing credibility and serves as a cautionary tale for the league.

This time around, fans can breathe easy. With a seven-year deal locked in, the NFL is set for a stable, well-trained officiating crew for years to come. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or gearing up for game day in your favorite team’s gear, it’s good to know the refs will be ready for kickoff.