NFL First Down Measurement: What Is Hawk-Eye Technology & How Does It Work?

The NFL made a long-awaited change on Wednesday, instituting a better system for measuring first downs using cutting edge technology. In 2025, the league will employ the same Hawk-Eye tracking system that has been used to improve call accuracy in tennis and soccer. Instead of bringing out the chain gang to measure first downs, the NFL will use a virtual measurement system that is faster and more accurate, which should help improve the overall product on the football field. Below, we’ll uncover how Hawk-Eye technology works and why it will help improve the NFL product in years to come.

How Hawk-Eye Technology Works

Hawk-Eye is an advanced tracking system that uses multiple high-speed cameras positioned around the stadium to map the football’s exact location in real time. These cameras create a three-dimensional model of the field and the ball’s position, ensuring an accurate measurement without the need for physical markers. The system can instantly determine whether the ball has reached the first-down marker, removing any guesswork or subjective interpretation from officials.

The technology has already been successful in other sports. In tennis, it determines whether a ball is in or out by mere millimeters. In soccer, Hawk-Eye is used for goal-line technology, eliminating disputes about whether the ball has crossed the line. 

How Hawk-Eye Technology Changes The Game

The NFL’s adoption of Hawk-Eye represents a major step forward in officiating consistency and accuracy. This will help protect the integrity of NFL games, which have come under scrutiny over the past few seasons, thanks to some questionable calls by officials in key situations. 

Here are a few ways that Hawk-Eye will improve the overall product on the football field:

• Eliminates Human Error – Officials no longer have to eyeball the ball placement or stretch a chain that may not be perfectly aligned. Hawk-Eye provides a definitive measurement instantly.
• Faster and More Efficient – No more lengthy stoppages to bring out the chains. The system can determine a first down in less than half the time, keeping the game moving at a better pace.
• More Transparency for Fans and Coaches – With instant replays and data-driven accuracy, there will be fewer questionable calls, making the game fairer for all teams.
• Better in Challenging Conditions – In bad weather or when players obscure the ball from view, Hawk-Eye can still track the exact position of the ball, whereas human officials might struggle to make the right call.

No More ‘Index Card’ Measurements

One of the most infamous examples of the limitations of the chain gang came in 2017, when referee Gene Steratore resorted to using an index card to determine whether the ball had reached the first-down marker in a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders. Steratore slid the card between the football and the chain, and when it barely fit, he ruled the play a first down for Dallas. 

With Hawk-Eye, bad calls on the line to gain will become a thing of the past. Every first down will be measured with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring fairness and eliminating controversial rulings.

A Step Toward the Future

The NFL’s shift to Hawk-Eye technology is another sign that the league is embracing innovation to enhance the product on the field. During the NFL Playoffs, fans made several complaints about the spot of the football in key situations, which ultimately led to the long-awaited change.

This is so disgusting I can’t even handle it. @NFL @nflcommish #nflrigged #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/rbEO0CNkg9

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 27, 2025

While football fans might miss seeing the chain gang run onto the field, the reality is that this change will make the game more accurate, efficient, and fair. The chain gang will still be used as a backup to Hawk-Eye technology, which means they will still appear on the sidelines during games.