NFL set to use new technology to measure first downs over chains
NFL set to use new technology to measure first downs over chains
The NFL is upgrading one area of the rules.
The longstanding "chain gang" is no more... mostly.
During the 2025 NFL owners meetings, the usage of a Hawk-eye system to measure first downs was approved.
According to ESPN:
The official use of Sony's Hawk-Eye virtual measurement system, consisting of six 8K cameras for optical tracking of the ball's position, was announced at the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.
The technology is "an efficient alternative to the process of walking chains onto the field and manually measuring whether 10 yards have been met after the official has spotted the ball," the league said in a news release.
Measurements become a heated topic after the recent AFC championship game, where the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen fell short of a first down late in the game.
In addition to better ball placement, the new tech could speed up games as well.
The classic chain-gang measurements will still be on the sideline as a secondary measure.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2025 offseason.
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