The NFL is replacing its traditional human-operated "chain gang" crews with a new innovative technology to decide ball placement and first downs during the 2025 season.

The NFL is replacing the traditional chain gang with Sony’s Hawk-Eye camera system to measure first downs more accurately. While the chain crew will stay on as backup, the league says the move ...

After Chiefs game, NFL retires chain crews and will use cameras to measure 1st downs instead By Becky Sullivan Published April 2, 2025 at 10:44 AM CDT ...

WASHINGTON — Starting this fall, the NFL will retire the use of chain crews to measure for first downs in favor of camera-based technology that can determine the distance automatically, the ...

The NFL is replacing the traditional chain gang with Sony’s Hawk-Eye camera system to measure first downs more accurately. While the chain crew will stay on as backup, the league says the move ...