Texans' Janice McNair, 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 Texans' Janice McNair

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 Houston Texans' Janice McNair, 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 had 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 was developed by Hawk-Eye, the computer vision system used in tennis to assist with video replays.

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Some believe using chains to measure such a crucial part of the sport is outdated, while others would rather referees make the decision manually.

Currently, Houston is focused on the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. With a first-round draft selection in their pocket, the Texans are scouting and interviewing prospects at the NFL Combine this weekend, with an eye on improving a few key position groups, including defensive end and cornerback.

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At the combine on Tuesday, Houston general manager Nick Caserio deferred credit of the Texans' surprising 2023 season. 

"There are 100 to 200 people who are involved in football operations, it's a collective effort," Caserio said. "It takes several people, but Demeco [Ryans] did an incredible job with the team and putting together a great coaching staff. Ultimately, it is about the players and the coaches. 

Quarterback C.J. Stroud led fellow rookies receiver Tank Dell and pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., to win the AFC South and make it to the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs.

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