NFL negotiations with the NFL Referees Association have hit a rough patch, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The league held committee meetings last week in Palm Beach, Florida, where owners received updates on stalled talks to replace the expiring collective bargaining agreement.

One source told Schefter that "frustration is mounting" among owners as discussions remain contentious. The NFL has pushed for changes to improve game official performance and accountability, while the referees' union seeks to preserve the status quo or roll back league access to officials.

The current CBA expires at the end of May, raising concerns about potential disruptions similar to the 2012 lockout that lasted 110 days and ended after three weeks of controversial calls by replacement officials. NFLRA executive director Scott Green told ESPN in December that the union looks forward to negotiating but declined to discuss specifics publicly.