NFL Embraces Technology, Tables Controversial Rule Change at Annual Meetings

The NFL is phasing in a major technological shift to one of its oldest in-game procedures: the chain crew. In an announcement this week, the league said it will begin using Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology “as an efficient alternative to the process of walking chains onto the field and manually measuring.”

While the iconic chain crew won’t vanish entirely, their role will be reduced. “The chain crew will remain on the field in a secondary capacity,” the NFL said in an email to teams.

The move marks a modern update to a tradition that has long symbolized the precise—if not sometimes tedious—nature of football’s measurements. For some fans, the departure from the chain gang era is bittersweet. As one observer quipped, “I thought chain gangs had the world’s strongest union.”

Tush Push Lives—For Now

Another major storyline out of this week’s league meetings was what didn’t change: the controversial “tush push” play. NFL owners opted to table a proposal by the Green Bay Packers that sought to ban offensive players from pushing a teammate who receives the snap directly behind the center.

The “push” has become one of the most debated tactics in recent years, popularized by teams like the Philadelphia Eagles in short-yardage situations. Green Bay’s proposal cited concerns over fairness and player safety.

The debate has deep historical roots. In the 1890s, college football banned the dangerous “flying wedge” formation. The NFL once penalized players for assisting the ball carrier, but enforcement was inconsistent. In 2006, the league formally allowed pushing—a rule change that opened the door to today’s controversial tactics.

New Overtime and Replay Rules

Among the approved changes, postseason overtime now mirrors regular season rules: each team is guaranteed at least one possession—unless the opening drive consumes the entire 10-minute period and ends with a score, a rare but possible scenario.

Additionally, the league expanded replay assist protocols. On-site replay officials can now reverse penalties for tripping, roughing the kicker, face mask, horse-collar tackles, and illegal hits on defenseless players. However, no new fouls can be added through replay review.

Kickoff Experiment Deemed a Success

The NFL also declared victory on its revamped kickoff rules, which aimed to boost returns while reducing injuries. In 2024, 32.8% of kickoffs were returned—a 57% jump over the previous year—and seven were returned for touchdowns, more than in any of the four prior seasons.

Perhaps most significantly, injury data was encouraging: concussions on kickoffs dropped 43% compared to the 2021-2023 average, and the league recorded the fewest lower-body strains on the play since at least 2018.

With more changes likely on the horizon, especially regarding push plays, the league continues to balance tradition, safety, and innovation in shaping the future of football.