NFL's VP of officiating resigns to reportedly take TV job with FOX

The NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams Friday informing them that Dean Blandino, the league's senior vice president of officiating, is stepping down to
"pursue other opportunities."

From executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

Dean will be with us until at least the end of May, and the search for his successor is underway. We are fortunate to have had several outstanding candidates already express their interest and I am confident that we will find another terrific leader for our Officiating Department in the very near future.

Blandino stepping away is particularly shocking considering he was at the center of a major change to the replay review system approved by way of a vote at last month's league meetings.

In an effort to centralize all replay decisions, Blandino was given final say on every call that was put under review.

The league's release didn't provide details regarding the new career path, but Blandino is expected to join FOX, reports Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

Florio and ESPN's Adam Schefter initially reported Blandino was set to follow Tony Romo to CBS, but the network denied that in a statement to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal.

Blandino will team up with FOX's current rules analyst Mike Pereira, adds Florio. Pereira has been with the network in his current role since 2010.