Former Giants Coach Sean Payton Thinks NFL Could Take This

The NFL has a perception problem among fans regarding officials, but Sean Payton has seen a solution.

The Denver Broncos coach, and former New York Giants offensive coordinator, spoke up about the NFL borrowing a method from the UFL that would offer transparency from officiating that would help fans.

Despite miked-up officials that announce rulings, the NFL lags behind leagues like MLB and the NBA as far as officiating transparency.

The NBA routinely shares officiating mistakes publicly, via its Last Two Minute Report, and MLB opened its umpires up to scrutiny with challenges, including the ABS challenge system.

Yet, Payton has a fix for all that that stems from the spring-football league that just wrapped up its third season.

Sean Payton Thinks NFL Officiating Transparency Could Come From the UFL

The NFL is not financially involved in the UFL's success, but the fall league has learned a thing or two from the spring league's innovation.

So Payton's idea about officiating transparency could be based on when UFL head of officials Dean Blandino publicly states a review's findings to a national-TV audience on FOX.

"I think every once in a while the benefit of this other league we have (UFL), I think quite honestly it's been helpful for our league," Payton told Sports Boom. "Every once in a while you see something you like, and I think Dean Blandino and his crew, when we kick live right to the booth review, I think that's healthy."

Sean Payton Sees Officials Transparency Moves Coming in 'the Next 2-or-3 Years'

Unfortunately, the NFL and its officials' union just locked in a new CBA this spring, otherwise these policies could have been implemented sooner.

Still, even though Blandino is already is a de facto liaison between officials and fans on FOX for NFL games, Payton feels an official spokesperson reporting the league's findings to a live audience of fans is coming sooner rather than later.

"I definitely think you'll see that coming," Payton said. "I think it's healthy, and it's certainly comforting for the fan when you can see how they arrive at decisions."

Pool reporters can ask head officials for a breakdown of calls/reviews. But Payton also feels having a TV spokesperson could lead to more information, and therefore less scrutiny and more understanding from fans and media.

"I think it's fair, especially to the officials and the people doing the review, to see what we arrived at," Payton said. "I think we'll see that in the next two to three years."

Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 10:40 AM.