The new first-down technology, which will eventually replace the NFL chain gang, debuted during Thursday night’s preseason game between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions.
Last week, NFL executive Gary Brantley informed the Associated Press that the league plans to replace the NFL chain gang with the advanced Sony Hawk-Eye technology for some of the 2024 preseason games.
That technology was shown for the first time during the second quarter of the Giants-Lions game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Have a look at it for yourself:
NFL fans had all sorts of interesting things to say about the new first-down technology. While some folks are fully on board with it, others hate the idea of the league moving away from the chain gang:
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In his interview with the Associated Press, Brantley added the new first-down technology likely won’t be added until next season. Per the AP, NFL coaches will be using new advanced Hawk-Eye Innovations headsets next year.
The 2024 NFL regular season will kick off on Sept. 5, when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Baltimore Ravens to Arrowhead Stadium. Patrick Mahomes and company are aiming to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls.
The NFL Chain Gang Is On Borrowed Time
Whether fans like it or not, the NFL is deciding to trust highly advanced and specialized technology over the human eye and judgment for first-down markers.
The NFL chain gang was far from a perfect system, as evidenced by the time where then-referee Gene Steratore had to use an index card during a Dallas Cowboys-Oakland Raiders game in 2017.
The NHL, NBA, MLB, FIFA and practically every other major sports organization around the world is using up-to-date technology to help with reviews and play tracking. The rise in technology means saying farewell to the NFL chain gang in short time.
