NFL Replay Success Rates Surge as New Camera Feeds Roll Out

The success rates of NFL coaches’ replay challenges have increased significantly this season, rising by 20% compared to last year. This surge is attributed to a crucial change implemented in the offseason, allowing coaches and their staff in the coaching booth to access the same camera feed as the game’s replay official.

In a session with reporters on Tuesday, Mark Butterworth, the NFL’s Vice President of Replay Training and Development, explained the impact of this adjustment. “In the replay booth, the replay official has a smaller screen with a working box in the middle,” he said. “Whatever’s in the replay official’s working box goes to both teams and their coaches.” Previously, teams only had access to broadcast footage, which often lacked the necessary angles and timeliness, particularly during games played in less favorable time slots.

Replay challenges have proven to be more successful this season, with an increase from 40% success last season to 60% this year after just seven weeks. Coaches have also been more proactive, throwing 60 challenge flags compared to an average of 51.5 in previous seasons. One game management professional noted, “There are a couple of challenges the Hawk-Eye view has helped prevent me from throwing.”

The NFL introduced these changes to its replay system in 2025, enhancing the camera feeds available to coaching staff. Butterworth opened the doors of Art McNally Gameday Central in New York, where every replay review occurs, to showcase the new technology. He emphasized the importance of the additional angles provided by the twelve boundary cameras installed at each stadium, which have significantly improved the accuracy of calls regarding goal-line and sideline plays.

“This is a fully immersive touch screen,” Butterworth stated, demonstrating the various angles available. He noted that these new tools allow teams to view angles that are not typically broadcast, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions during challenges. The efficiency of these reviews has also improved; the average review time has decreased from 2:20 to 1:25 over the past two years.

As replay assist technologies advance, questions arise about the decision-making process within the NFL. The rulebook specifies that the “senior VP of officiating or his or her designee” is responsible for initiating and conducting reviews. Butterworth clarified that while he oversees the process, multiple supervisors are involved in the final decisions. “When there are layups, we just say, ‘Hey, let’s run with it.’ When there’s an issue, Perry [Fewell] is usually sending me over, or you’re listening to it, or you see it, and go over and make sure,” Butterworth said.

The league has made strides in improving officiating consistency, focusing on areas such as offensive pass interference and holding, which remain challenging for officials despite not being directly reviewable. Troy Vincent, the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations, mentioned that crew consistency is a priority for discussion among league ownership.

One of the notable plays under scrutiny this season is the “tush push,” a play that has faced increased emphasis from officiating crews. Vincent acknowledged the difficulty in officiating such plays in real time, particularly when players are in the neutral zone. “There’s a team that still does it well. And we’ve seen other people have versions of it,” he noted, indicating the ongoing challenge for officials.

As the NFL continues to refine its replay system and officiating protocols, the focus remains on enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of calls to ensure a fair playing field. The advancements in technology and training are pivotal in shaping the future of officiating in professional football.