Sources: NFL promotes 2 amid officiating rework

The NFL’s overhaul of its officiating department has continued with the promotions of two members of its 2024 crews.

Umpire Ramon George and replay official Mark Butterworth are both joining the league office, sources told ESPN on Thursday, confirming multiple reports, although it is unclear who will have final authority in the department during the 2024 season.

George, an NFL umpire since 2016, will be in a vice president-level role that focuses on officiating evaluation and assignments, sources said. Butterworth will serve as vice president of replay, sources said, becoming the third person to hold that title in three years following Jon Berger and Russell Yurk.

NFL senior vice president of officiating communications and administration Perry Fewell is expected to remain with the department, although his title could change.

The additions come after officiating chief Walt Anderson stepped down from his role last month — and on the same day that his son, Derek, was hired as an on-field official. Anderson’s new title, the league said at the time, would be NFL rules analyst and club communications liaison.

Sources have said over the past year that the NFL favors having former coaches in its officiating leadership group. That includes Fewell and longtime assistant coach George Stewart, whom the NFL quietly hired in 2023 to serve as vice president of training and development.