For over a century, football has relied on a simple 10-yard chain to determine if a team achieved a first down. However, advances in artificial intelligence and technology, specifically an innovative system called Hawk-Eye, may soon render this traditional method obsolete. Hawk-Eye aims to enhance the game's speed and accuracy by utilizing high-tech software alongside numerous cameras. In the 2024-25 preseason, the NFL began testing Sony’s Hawk-Eye to assess the "line to gain, " which is the critical measure for achieving a first down. The system employs up to 60 cameras to capture every angle of a play, enabling referees to analyze footage frame by frame. Now, with six 8K resolution cameras, Hawk-Eye can precisely track the ball's movement to confirm if it crossed the required 10 yards, and all NFL stadiums are set up to implement this technology. According to Dan Cash, managing director of Sony’s Hawk-Eye, the aim is to improve accuracy and reduce the time needed for the chain gang to assess plays.

This technological shift could help eliminate contentious calls in close situations, as evidenced by previous notable games where decisions determined the outcomes. NFL Deputy Chief Information Officer Aaron Amendolia noted that Hawk-Eye can make calls approximately 40 seconds faster than traditional methods, enhancing the viewing experience. Fred Gaudelli from "NFL on NBC" also emphasized the advantages of expedited decisions in capturing audience attention. Hawk-Eye's technology, familiar to tennis fans for determining ball placement, was recently used in a preseason game to assess first downs. Although it successfully illustrated that a ball was short, there were concerns about the time it took to reach a conclusion. Some players, like Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce, express attachment to the traditional chain gang. While the line-to-gain technology is currently on hold for the regular season and postseason, it will be re-evaluated in the next preseason to ensure it meets accuracy and efficiency standards before wider implementation.