Football fans got their first glimpse of a major change to NFL broadcasts and games starting in 2025 in regards to the league’s implementation of the new virtual measurement system, which made its debut during Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions.
After the first play of the second quarter, a ten-yard run from Lions running back Craig Reynolds, a stoppage in play was called to conduct a virtual measurement of whether Reynolds got to the line to gain to get a new set of downs.
Mike Tirico informed the viewers watching the game on NBC of what was happening since it is a new implementation from the league, informing fans that while the “chain gang” is not going away, this new system will allow for first down measurements to be done more accurately, and hopefully quicker.
“Sorry, you have been stopped for the virtual world,” said Tirico, interrupting a story his on-air partner, Cris Collinsworth, was telling. “This is new, the chain gang is still employed. They have not been made redundant, as they would say in the U.K. But if it is close to a first down, you are going to get a virtual measurement. And you are gonna see everybody look up to the screen to check out to see if the first down was made. Using technology, and it’s a first down as you see there. There is the virtual measurement and there was the line to gain. So the Lions have a first down.”
This particular call wasn’t all that close, as it was clear to the eye of just about everyone in Canton that Reynolds had made the first down. But Tirico seemed to believe that the virtual measurement system was brought out to troubleshoot the system as we approach the games that are more meaningful in the regular season.
“Now, they probably knew that was a first down on the field,” said Tirico. “But it’s preseason. You want to make sure this new technology is ready to go for the season. And the answer is yes.”
In this instance, the virtual measurement system got the call right and did so in a timely manner. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the new system was overly well-received from viewers watching at home.
Media members watching the Hall of Fame Game took to social media to share their thoughts on the new implementation from the league. And the reactions were mixed to say the least, with some appreciating the new feature, and others largely disapproving of the change.
“I really don’t know how to feel about this,” wrote The Athletic’s Chase Daniel in a post on X. “It’s the new virtual measurement system for first downs….give me chain gang all day.”
“Virtual measurement in the NFL really does bring a tear to this millennials eye,” wrote Joe Spadoni, a host on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco.
“A.I. Slop,” wrote PFT Commenter of Barstool Sports.
“The measurement is now more precise, and the NFL no longer has to use playing cards or chain links. But important to remember that humans still spot the football,” wrote Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
“I’m going to have so much fun with conspiracies about this,” wrote Tyler Lauletta of Sports Illustrated.
NFL fans have long been hesitant to accept change, which was quite evident last Hall of Fame Game as well when the new kickoff rules were implemented in the hopes of reducing injuries on special teams.
So clearly, it may take some time for everyone to get on board with this new virtual measurement system as we approach the start of the NFL season.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.