Why the NFL is deciding against using automated first down technology for the 2024 season

For being a major sports league with revenue in the tens of billions, the NFL has been woefully behind other sports when it comes to technology. The most glaring example of that has been the NFL’s continued use of a chain gang to measure first downs on already-subjective spots.

Well, it looks like the chain gang is going to continue for at least one more year.

The NFL had tested automated first down technology this preseason with the hope of potentially implementing it for the 2024 season. The tech was supposed to be similar to what we have seen for years with tennis’ reviews and soccer’s automated offside and goal line tech in VAR. If the automated first down tech worked, it would have given quick and accurate measurements. It also would have saved us from the charade of a bunch of officials running onto the field with a chain to essentially measure a guess by the side judge.

a look at the new first down technology to replace chain gangs pic.twitter.com/wmoo0swMN8

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 9, 2024

Unfortunately, that technology did not work as intended.

It is nowhere near ready. It was used 3x in our 3 preseason games, took double the time it would take the chain gang, and everyone awkwardly stood around waiting for the referee to announce whether or not it was a first down. https://t.co/jP5mTvP2UJ

— mattmoneysmith (@mattmoneysmith) August 27, 2024

During the preseason, the first down tech had some uneven results, and in many cases, it took longer than what the traditional chain gang would have done on their own. So, the league is going to table the technology and hope to have it ready for 2025.

Of course, the NFL should’ve had this ready years ago. But at least it isn’t rushing out an unpolished product. It’s the right call to wait until the technology is ready.