With the advancements in technology available to the NFL today, it seems outdated that the league still relies on a physical chain to determine first downs.
However, it looks like this might change when the 2024 season begins.
The first-down chain has been a part of football for over 100 years, and despite significant progress in the sport, officials still use this old-fashioned method to measure first downs.
One memorable incident highlighting the absurdity of this approach occurred when Gene Steratore used an index card to make a ruling during a game between the Raiders and the Cowboys in 2017. This should have prompted a reevaluation of the status quo, but it took the NFL some time to consider other options.
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The UFL provided a glimpse of the future by using “TrU Line Technology” instead of the traditional chain gang in its inaugural season. The NFL also experimented with optical tracking in the 2023 campaign, despite the continued use of the physical chain.
Now, reports indicate that the NFL has approved a plan to implement optical first-down tracking in every stadium before the upcoming preseason games.
If successful, this technology could become the primary measuring method in the regular season. However, the chain gang will still be present on the sidelines to provide a point of reference and serve as a backup if needed.
