Fred Bryan Retires From NFL Field, Will Train Next Generation of Officials

Fred Bryan, a 15-year NFL veteran, has retired from the field and accepted a job in the NFL front office as an officiating coordinator coach

Fred Bryan, a 15-year NFL veteran, has retired from the field and accepted a job in the NFL front office as an officiating coordinator coach – basically a person who trains current NFL officials.

Bryan joined the NFL in 2009 as an umpire and wore number 11 for his entire career. For the 2023 season, Bryan was listed as a swing down judge – the first year he was assigned to that sideline position. When Derrick Bowers was injured in Week 1, Bryan became the full time down judge on Alan Eck’s crew.

In his career, Bryan worked five wild card rounds, three divisional playoffs, two conference championships and Super Bowls LIII and LV. His final playoff assignment was down judge in last season’s wild card game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans. We noted that it was impressive for Bryan to be assigned a playoff game the first year he worked a brand new position with a completely different angle to view the game compared to the umpire position.

Congratulations to Bryan on an outstanding NFL career and we wish him the best as he trains the next generation of NFL officials.

Barring any late changes — for instance, ESPN is still hiring a rules analyst — here are the roster changes this year.

Leaving the field or booth

*2nd all time; †replay official totals only

New hires

Promoted to replay official