The NFL is siding with modernization. The league plans its first-down chains in favor of Hawk-Eye technology. If you don’t know already, it’s a system known for precisely tracking the ball in tennis, cricket, and soccer. The NFL has already tested this in the 2024 preseason, with plans for a full rollout in 2025. Their goal is to cut down on game delays and eliminate human error in spotting the ball. The trouble is, not everyone’s buying the idea, especially Pat McAfee.

And when McAfee disagrees with something, he doesn’t hold back. He took to The Pat McAfee Show to call out the decision, questioning if this high-tech upgrade is really the answer. “This is what we’re doing now? We’re getting rid of the chains? The chains have been a part of football forever!” McAfee stated his point. “We’re trusting a system that might not even be accurate when we already have something that works? Come on, man!”, he’s not convinced Hawk-Eye will make things better. “What happens when this thing glitches in a big moment? Are we just gonna act like technology doesn’t fail?” he asked. He pointed to the system’s first NFL test run, calling it “absolute c—.”

“It was a preseason game, Detroit Lions throw—oh, what a ball! What a catch! Gorgeous! Keep the clock rolling here, second quarter obviously, Kennedy makes a great catch,” McAfee recalled, but instead of getting an instant ruling, the broadcast stalled for minutes. “Dan Campbell goes, ‘Hawk-Eye, where are we?’ Cuz on tennis we turn up, look at the screen, it’s immediate. And we could have got, you know, people with 14 different eyes and a Chain Gang out there—still waiting.” After a long delay, Hawk-Eye finally ruled on the spot. “Three minutes and sixteen seconds later, 3:19 all on air, and then boom—it’s short. It’s like, okay, I guess that’s good?”

Well, McAfee is worried about the human element, as the referees working with the chain gang might get lost in the shuffle. He also pointed to a skeptical view of tennis players who’ve dealt with Hawk-Eye’s rulings. “But there are tennis players that are like – Oh this the league is working against me right now, the League wants this person to win….. it was crap okay absolute crap”

McAfee isn’t alone, some former players and coaches have voiced concerns about the game losing its feel. Others, however, are all for the switch. “If it makes things more accurate, I’m all in,” one current NFL player told reporters. “We already have replay reviews slowing things down. If this speeds it up, why not?” Still, fans have a sentimental attachment to the chain gang. The sight of referees pulling those orange markers tight, measuring down to the last inch, has been part of football for decades. To be fair, they will continue to be a part of the game as the league currently plans to use technology mainly to determine first downs.

Meanwhile, McAfee has to worry about another partnership that could be about to break.

Pat McAfee’s ESPN Contract for College Football Expires

As if Pat McAfee didn’t have enough on his plate, another big shift is happening. His ESPN Field Pass contract for the College Football Playoff has officially expired. The on-field simulcast, which gave fans a unique, up-close view of major college football games, is no longer guaranteed to return. McAfee broke the news on The Pat McAfee Show, confirming, “That contract is up; we don’t know if that’s ever going to happen again.” He didn’t go deep into details, but it’s clear that ESPN hasn’t locked in plans to bring Field Pass back just yet.

For two seasons, McAfee’s simulcast flipped the script on traditional college football coverage. Instead of calling the game from a booth, he and his crew roamed the sidelines, reacting in real time with their signature high-energy style. It wasn’t your usual play-by-play—it was raw, unpredictable, and, at times, pure chaos.

Not everyone loved it, but it had its audience. College football die-hards either embraced it for its fresh, unfiltered take or brushed it off as a sideshow. Either way, it got people talking. And, of course, there was McAfee’s fan-favorite Field Goal Kicking Challenge, where he put his own money on the line for a lucky fan to take a shot at glory. “That particular segment has become one of the most talked-about portions of the iconic show,” McAfee pointed out.

McAfee’s run with ESPN isn’t over, though. The Pat McAfee Show is still rolling under his massive $85 million deal, and he remains a staple on College GameDay, bringing his trademark energy to the pregame show. Will ESPN revive Field Pass? Will McAfee find another way to shake up college football coverage? Right now, it’s all up in the air. But wherever he lands, he’s going to make some noise.

With the NFL changing its rules and McAfee’s college football future in limbo, sports broadcasting is going through a little spell of change. Whether fans are ready for it or not, we’ll find out soon enough.