The NFL's chain gang may be sidelined, as the league announced Wednesday during the NFL Scouting Combine that it will replace the chains as the primary measurement system with the Hawk-Eye virtual measurement of the line to gain.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted that the average time to measure with the chains is 75 seconds while the virtual measurement takes 30 seconds.
Officials on the field would still spot the ball, but the virtual system would determine whether it's a first down. This change follows the much-debated AFC Championship game in which Bills quarterback Josh Allen was ruled short on a key fourth down quarterback sneak that led to a Chiefs win.
The league is also exploring the possibility of expanding their playoff overtime rules that give each team one offensive possession into the regular season.
Additionally, the league could expand replay assist for several fouls, although it would only apply to penalties on the field (not missed calls).
Lastly, Garafolo reported that the league conducted a study to see the rate of penalties called on hits on quarterbacks around the league in 2024.
Lamar Jackson drew just 1.74 penalties per 100 hits, while the Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa had the most at 7.32 penalties and the Bills' Allen came in No. 2 with 6.73 penalties. The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes ranked No. 8 with 3.53 penalties.
