The NFL could eventually adopt one of the most popular features from XFL broadcasts, according to rules analyst Dean Blandino.
The 52-year-old Blandino is the head of XFL officiating who also works as an NFL/college football rules analyst on FOX. Previously, Blandino served as the NFL’s Vice President of Officiating from 2013 to 2017.
Speaking with Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, Blandino explained that the NFL could adopt one of the XFL’s features that allows viewers to hear the conversation between officials and the replay booth.
“Our experience with the spring leagues is the narrative around officiating changed,” Blandino explained to Meirov. “Fans walked away with a better understanding and appreciation of officiating.”
This would be one way of helping fans further understand the questionable rulings. Even countless reviewable plays (catches, interceptions, fumbles, yard markings etc.) that get a second look by the officials just end up confusing the fans even further.
For example, the Dez Bryant “didn’t catch it” game in 2014 remains a hot topic of debate, even though officials were able to get a full review of the play. If fans could hear the replay booth discussing the matter with the referee, maybe there’d be a better understanding of it.
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Once again, NFL officiating was under extreme scrutiny throughout the 2023 season. That’s not going to change until/unless the head office agrees to change up the system.
The league obviously has a long way to go in enhancing the product enough to the satisfaction of the fans, coaches and players. Adopting this broadcast feature from the XFL would certainly serve as a welcoming addition for NFL fans.
