Patriots' Robert Kraft, Owners to Vote On New Referee Technology To Replace Chains

NFL To Replace Chains? Testing First Down Officiating Electronically, Potential Vote From NFL Owners, including Patriots' Robert Kraft.

The NFL revealed Thursday it is testing a new system to electronically measure first downs, per Pro Football Talk. The league will present information to the NFL owners, including New England Patriots' Robert Kraft, for a potential vote.

The technology would be used in place of first-down chains to decide whether a player reached the line to gain. The change would likely not happen before the 2024 season.

The ability to track the ball is already available with technology installed at every NFL stadium for Next Gen Stats purposes. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are already installed into players’ shoulder pads plus tags on officials, sticks, pylons, chains and in the ball.

The NFL said that it already tested the optical tracking camera technology to measure first downs at games in Miami and East Rutherford, N.J., and the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. The tech is developed by Hawk-Eye, the computer vision system used in tennis to assist with video replays.

Robert Kraft

NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent, said the 2025 season is a realistic target for the new system.

Some believe using chains to measure such a crucial part of the sport is outdated, while others would rather referees make the decision manually.

The NFLPA released report cards for all 32 teams this week and Kraft did not grade well with an D+, which puts him at No. 27 in the league. The main factors were lack of investment in weight room facilities and treatment of families. 

Currently, New England is focused on the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. With the No. 3-overall draft selection in their pocket, the Patriots are scouting and interviewing prospects at the NFL Combine this weekend, with an eye on improving a few key position groups, including quarterback, running back and receiver.

The team is expected to meet with the following top QB prospects, per reports: USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels, Oregon's Bo Nix and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. 

An exciting NFL new year begins on March 13th and it appears there could be some changes, roster and rules, ahead. 

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