End of an Era: NFL Saying Goodbye to Iconic Chain Gangs? 😥

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

It was a busy week in the NFL and this week’s edition is LOADED. DJ Moore and Tristan Wirfs signed mega-deals, a judge overturned the ‘Sunday Ticket’ judement, the Kelce brothers are seeking $100 million for their podcast, fans are not impressed with the new kickoff, and we may have seen the last of the ‘chain gang’ on NFL sidelines.

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Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Bears, WR DJ Moore reach a deal on a four-year, $100 million extension with $82.6 million guaranteed (Yahoo Sports)

• Buccaneers agree to terms with OT Tristan Wirfs on five-year, $140 million extension, Wirfs becomes highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history (ESPN)

• WR Tyreek Hill and Dolphins restructure $90 million deal, guaranteeing $65 million over next three seasons (CBS Sports)

• Chargers QB Justin Herbert sidelined with plantar fascia, will miss multiple weeks (NFL.com)

• The Trent Williams holdout and Brandon Aiyuk hold-in linger, with no signs of contract progress as to either player (PFT)

• U.S. judge overturns $4.7 billion 'Sunday Ticket' judgment against the NFL (NPR)

• Texans DE Denico Autry suspended for six games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy (ESPN)

• Bucs OG Sua Opeta suffered a torn ACL during practice Tuesday (PFT)

• Cardinals OLB BJ Ojulari suffered a torn ACL in his left knee at practice Friday (NFL.com)

• Kelce brothers seeking $100 million for their weekly podcast (FOS)

• John Elway says, passing on Josh Allen ‘probably my biggest mistake’ as Broncos GM (NFL.com)

• Falcons sell out season tickets, for first time in nearly 20 years (PFT)

• Sony, NFL launch new technology partnership (PRNewswire)

• Jon Gruden petitions the Supreme Court of Nevada to grant an ‘en banc reconsideration’ (Sportico)

• Browns GM Andrew Berry prefers a dome for next Browns stadium 👎️ (AtoZ)

• Bill Belichick will host football show with Underdog Fantasy (Sportico)

• Bills fans face “frustration and anxiety” over seat expenses at new stadium (PFT)

• The NFL will test Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology for measuring first downs during the preseason (ESPN)

• NFLPA tells NFL, Fanatics they can’t sell Marvin Harrison Jr. jerseys (PFT)

• NFL fans react to new kickoff rules after preseason debut (SI.com)

OPENING DRIVE REQUIRED LISTENING

• The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel launch a new podcast, ‘Scoop City.’ Check it out here.

Personality Hats are in

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WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
Bill Belichick (again 📈). In an offseason overflowing with opportunities, Bill Belichick is proving retirement from coaching does not equate to fading from the limelight. The six-time Super Bowl champion has embarked on a media blitz, securing high-profile gigs across multiple platforms. 🪦 

Belichick's most intriguing venture is a partnership with Underdog Fantasy to launch "Coach with Bill Belichick," a weekly YouTube show providing an inside look at the legendary coach's mind. Fans can expect breakdowns of game situations as if Belichick were still patrolling the sidelines.

"I want to find a connection to the fans where I give them what they've asked for in terms of content—behind-the-scenes information, decision-making within the organization, and a breakdown of schematics and personnel," Belichick stated.

The Underdog show is merely the tip of the iceberg. Belichick has inked deals with ESPN to contribute to the Manningcast and serve as a studio analyst for The CW's Inside the NFL alongside Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson, and Chris Long. Additionally, he will make weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show after garnering rave reviews for his draft coverage in April.

At 71 years old, Belichick is embracing a schedule that would exhaust coaches half his age. However, his insatiable appetite for football analysis appears undiminished, ensuring fans will receive an unprecedented glimpse into the mind of an all-time great.

Here’s a look at all the places you’ll find Belichick this season:

🏈 On @PatMcAfeeShow once a week during the season.
🏈 On the ManningCast with Peyton and Eli early in each game.
🏈 Analyst on "Inside the NFL" alongside Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson and Chris Long.
🏈 His own football show on @UnderdogFantasy

Who’s down?
The ‘chain gang'. In a move that has been long overdue, the National Football League is finally embracing cutting-edge technology to ensure the accuracy of first down measurements. The league will be testing Sony's Hawk-Eye optical tracking system during the upcoming preseason games, a system that has been widely used in other sports such as tennis and cricket.

While this implementation is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for the NFL, it also signals the potential demise of one of the game's most iconic traditions – the chain gang. These dedicated individuals, who have been a staple on the sidelines of football fields from the smallest local parks to the grandest professional stadiums, may soon find themselves rendered obsolete.

For decades, the chain gang has been an integral part of the game, responsible for physically measuring the distance to the first down marker after each play. Their presence on the field has become a familiar sight, a reminder of the game's roots and the human element that has always been at its core.

However, as technology continues to advance and the demand for precision and accuracy grows, the NFL's decision to embrace optical tracking systems is a clear indication that the days of the chain gang may be numbered. While some may lament the loss of this time-honored tradition, others will undoubtedly celebrate the increased efficiency and reliability that comes with modern technology.

As the preseason games unfold and the Hawk-Eye system is put to the test, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely, not only to gauge its effectiveness but also to witness what could be the final chapters of the chain gang's storied history in the NFL.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

Packers will debut a white alternate helmet this season. Drip or drop?

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