The NFL will no longer be using the chain gang as the primary means of determining whether a spot is a first down, and fans had some strong reactions to the news.
Beginning next season, Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology will be used by the NFL as the primary method for determining whether the line to gain was reached. Officials will still spot the ball, but the technology will show if the nose of the ball reached the line to gain for a first down.
The chain crew will remain on the field for games, but only in a secondary capacity.
While the use of the technology should help save time, a first down will ultimately still be determined by where the official spots the ball. Because of that, many fans believe the change will not accomplish much.
Will be able to measure the refs bad spot to within a millimeter
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 1, 2025
We need Hawk Eye Spotting also 🤣
— 324Sports (@324Sports_) April 1, 2025
Now, create technology that spots the ball. Refs are so bad at that sometimes!
— Chris M (@Cam373737) April 1, 2025
As always, the issues come from spotting the ball, not the measuring.
— losslandscape (@losslandscape) April 1, 2025
Many others theorized that the change was made as a direct result of the Bills getting screwed with what looked like a bad spot in their AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Another rule change after the Bills got screwed in the first place. Glad we can help the league for others
— Brian Taylor (@BillsMafiaFL) April 1, 2025
League doing everything for Josh Allen. Insane privilege
— as (@PrimePogbaa) April 1, 2025
Every year Josh Allen loses the league changes the rules lol
— That One Guy (@SullyFootball) April 1, 2025
The problem with that theory is that the issue on Josh Allen’s infamous AFC Championship Game sneak was where the ball was spotted, not the measurement itself. There would have been no difference in that situation even with the Hawk-Eye technology in place. Officials will still determine where the ball was when the runner was down or his forward progress was stopped.
Of course, plenty of fans believe the new technology will somehow benefit the Chiefs, since calls always seem to go in their favor.
