Andy Reid speaking to NFL refereesNFL referees (Photo via Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
A group of NFL referees could be taking a backseat to technology next season, with the league presumably set to do away with the Chain Gang, somewhat.

According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, the NFL could implement its first-down technology in 2025. After studying the system over the last few seasons, the league is set to present its findings to the owners next month.

“The NFL, after testing an electronic system for measuring first downs in recent years, will present its findings on the issue to the owners at the annual league meeting beginning late next month. It remains possible the system could be utilized during the 2025 regular season,” Maske reported this week.

“There was always a decision of test it, bring back the results and then you can begin talking about regular season [use],” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent was quoted as saying. “And that has been consistent with the membership. So there’s never been [opposition] to it.”

The Chain Gang would remain on as a backup option if the change goes through.

 

NFL Referees Appeared To Get Key Call Wrong During A Big Playoff Game Last Season

NFL Replaces The Chain Gang With Technology For First Down MeasurementsNFL Chain Gang (Photo By David Richard/Imagn Images)

criticism of the league’s officiating. As far as first-down controversy goes, the most recent occurred in the AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, when it turned the tide for the Chiefs after refs spotted the ball short despite the Bills appearing to get a first down on consecutive plays.

The Chiefs got into the end zone shortly after regaining possession and went on to win the game, advancing to their third consecutive Super Bowl.

While the NFL is keen on getting first-down measurements right, the Chain Gang isn’t the problem, as they’ve always delivered accurate numbers based on what’s put in front of them. It’s more than can be said for the officials spotting the ball on the field.

The chains won’t give a first down if the ball isn’t spotted where it’s supposed to be. So, is the league changing the wrong thing here?

NFL Referees Association Caught In Blatant Lie While Trying To Defend Themselves Against Allegations Of Rigging Games For Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes and refereePatrick Mahomes and referee (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Scott Green, the executive director of the NFL Referees Association, firmly denied the notion that the Kansas City Chiefs receive favoritism.

Kansas City will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9.

Unfortunately for them, their entire playoff run has been filled with controversial calls, which have fans thinking the refs gave them a favorable whistle.

The NFL and the Chiefs aren’t just responding to the perception of favoritism by officials, they are firmly fighting back.

NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green, a retired referee, spoke out this week when he called it “insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team.”

Green also added that “no crew (referee) works the same team more than TWICE a regular season” in response to the same crews helping the Chiefs.

 

It appears he was quite wrong.

An X account, @nflrefstats1, revealed that the Green Bay Packers had three regular season games officiated by Bill Vinovich during the 2020 season.

While that is not a huge sample size, it does point to the former referee’s lack of credibility, as he did not know that information before he responded to the allegations.

The Kansas City Chiefs And Referee Favoritism Notion Won’t End Anytime Soon

The head of the union representing NFL officials called allegations that officiating crews are biased in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs “insulting and preposterous.”

Despite his fiery response, it is unlikely to help Kansas City overcome the notion that refs drastically help them move further to victory.

A handful of high-profile playoff calls have gone in Kansas City’s favor, fueling theories of favoritism.