6 officiating things I’m watching for the 2025 season

The preparations, camps, clinics, and preseason are over. It is time for the NFL to kick off the 2025 regular season.

Here is what I’m looking for as I zebra-watch this season.

1. Electronic measurements

The NFL will measure for first downs using digital imaging this year. The HawkEye technology (used in tennis and experimented with in the last two NFL preseasons) will inform the crew if the offense made the first down. No more chain links or game cards. The chains will remain on the sideline for a visual reference, and will only measure if there is an equipment failure.

This will be good for people who want more technology in the game. But the chains really aren’t the issue. The controversy is over the official’s forward progress spot. HawkEye doesn’t fix the official’s spot. While digital measurements will be interesting (and prevent arguments over chain links), we will still have arguments over the officials’ progress spots.

2. New referee

On the offseason, the NFL moved Tra Blake to umpire and moved umpire Alex Moore to referee. Moore has been in the referee pipeline for a few seasons. Here is footage of his preseason tryout from 2023.

Moore was a college football referee in the Southeastern Conference, and he also was a referee in the spring football leagues. New referees are not eligible for post-season assignments, so we won’t have that evidence to judge his rookie campaign.

But, he appears to have all the tools necessary to be a good NFL referee.

3. More overtime tinkering

The NFL modified the regular season overtime rules. It basically guarantees both teams a possession in nearly all cases. Click on the link for all the overtime rules and exceptions.

I know that I yell at clouds a lot, but I saw no problem with sudden-death overtime rules. I know the rules have been modified for “fairness,” but sometimes life is not fair. One thing is for sure, TV network executives, antsy for “Fox Animation Domination” or 60 Minutes to get on the air on time, will start pacing if the late-window games go to overtime.

4. Two join the exclusive 30 Club

This year, two new officials join the 30 Club — the group of officials who have put in 30 years on the field. An official has to be hired while their in their 30s, and still be able to put in high-quality well into their 60s.

This year, field judge Rick Patterson and side judge Boris Cheek will celebrate 30 years as NFL officials. Both have several playoff games and Super Bowl assignments to their credit. Last year, Cheek set an NFL record for most games officiated.

Congratulations to Patterson and Cheek for joining the 30 Club!

5. More accountability

Ramon George, vice president of officiating, is entering his second season at the post. He began using analytical data as a “performance guidance” according to an officiating source, with an emphasis on improvement. After last season, George relegated three officials back to college.

Those officials have the chance to return to the NFL if they show improved skills George is looking for.

Fans constantly scream about officials being held accountable. George is making sure there are no officiating favorites and performance and improvement are what’s guiding the vice president of officiating on shaping his staff and assigning playoffs.

6. Playoff and Super Bowl assignments are wide open

Our collective jaws dropped last year when George assigned two third-year officials to the Super Bowl. Umpire Mike Morton and down judge Max Causey, both did a great job and proved themselves on the biggest stage and did officiating proud.

George will use objective grading and assign the officials he feels are best for the Super Bowl. We had honed our Super Bowl predictions down to almost a science, but with experience requirements done away with, our predictions are a little more of a wild guess.

Still, it can’t be a kickoff article without me predicting the Super Bowl crew which I almost always get zero out of seven correct. But still, my Super Bowl predictions are:

Referee – John Hussey (one of these years I’ll be right!)
Umpire – Duane Heydt
Down judge – Patrick Holt
Line judge – Julian Mapp
Field judge – Rick Patterson
Side judge – Don Willard
Back judge – Jimmy Russell

Let’s kick this season off! I can’t wait to zebra-watch!