Walt Anderson Departs as NFL’s Sr. VP of Officiating After Challenging Season, Can Roger Goodell & Co Finally Address Longstanding Officiating Issues?

The NFL is currently on the lookout for a new senior vice president of officiating as Walt Anderson is set to step down from his role on May 1, according to Ben Austro of Football Zebras. Although Anderson is leaving his current position, he is expected to stay within the officiating department, potentially focusing on overseeing replay operations, although his exact future role has yet to be defined.

Anderson, who has an extensive background as an NFL official spanning 24 seasons, including 17 as a referee, transitioned to an administrative role at the end of the 2019 season. But after such a long career, with many thinking he might go on to become the President, this departure comes as somewhat of a shock.

Why is Walt Anderson leaving?

The news was shared by Ari Meirov on X. However, many are wondering why he is stepping down from his role. It appears to be influenced significantly by familial considerations. His son, Derek Anderson, a top-ranked referee from the Big 12, is reportedly set to join the NFL. However, a snag in the hiring process occurred because league human resources policies prevented Derek from reporting directly to his father. Walt Anderson’s decision to step down, therefore, seems primarily motivated by the need to facilitate his son’s employment opportunity within the NFL.

While this transition might seem like an enforced change, Walt Anderson will continue contributing to the league’s officiating department in a different capacity, likely focusing on replay operations, where his vast experience can still be highly beneficial.

But now that he is leaving, who are the potential candidates who could replace him?

Top 3 replacements for Anderson

Roger Goodell has been acting fast in trying to fill up the position. Among the frontrunners is Bill Vinovich, who has a distinguished track record including officiating at three Super Bowls. Eugene Hall, another potential candidate, has an impressive resume as well, having officiated in three Super Bowls within his first nine seasons—a record that stands unbeaten due to NFL rules on Super Bowl assignments.

Garth DeFelice is also seen as a strong contender for the position. A former referee with a Super Bowl under his belt, DeFelice has been influential in training officials since retiring from the field in 2013. Known for his strict approach and significant contributions to officiating mechanics, particularly concerning penalties like roughing the passer, DeFelice’s experience could be invaluable, though his age suggests he may not serve in the role long term.

Who Goodell decides to rope in instead of Anderson remains to be seen. However, the next VP should be able to fix issues such as the absence of effective leadership among officials, resulting in subpar officiating. According to SI, “There is no consistency at all. It’s not even from group to group. It’s the same group within games. It’s crucial that we establish fresh leadership that can introduce a coherent and effective strategy.”

As seasoned officials depart, the training provided to newcomers does not seem to be up to standard, which is evident when watching the games. Therefore, it’s imperative to invest more in the training and development of officials to enhance their performance. With all these issues in mind, it looks like Goodell has a tough battle ahead with his game officials.