NFL Team Proposes Ban on Controversial ‘Tush Push’ Play

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Green Bay Packers have submitted a proposal to the NFL to ban the popular ‘tush push’ play that the Philadelphia Eagles have effectively utilized on offense, according to NFL executive Troy Vincent. During a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, Vincent indicated that the proposal was made by an unnamed team but was later confirmed to be from the Packers.

The ‘tush push’ is a modified quarterback sneak where teammates assist the quarterback, currently Jalen Hurts, in gaining additional yardage by pushing him from behind. This aggressive tactic has become synonymous with successful short-yardage plays for the Eagles, particularly during critical game situations, including their Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Vincent noted, “We do have a club playing-rule proposal around the tush push. It’s the way they deemed it, the tush push. It’s on our agenda. The club proposal is, ‘We need to make some adjustments to that. Is that a viable football play?’”

NFL owners are scheduled to vote on the proposal during the annual league meeting in March in Palm Beach, Florida. For the proposal to pass, it would need the approval of 24 out of 32 owners. While rule proposals are common each year, Vincent emphasized the need for serious discussion around this particular play, which has drawn scrutiny due to potential safety concerns for players.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, a member of the competition committee, expressed concerns about the injury risks associated with the ‘tush push.’ “There’s always been an injury risk with that play,” McDermott said. “Player safety has to be at the top of our game, which it is. It’s just that play to me has always been potentially contrary to the health and safety of the players.”

In recent seasons, the Eagles and Bills have executed 163 ‘tush push’ plays, effectively converting them into successful touchdowns or first downs 87% of the time, compared to 71% success for the rest of the league, according to ESPN Research. Despite their success with the play, McDermott noted that it requires careful execution regarding player safety.

Some NFL teams have attempted to replicate the ‘tush push,’ but none have achieved the same level of efficiency as the Eagles. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has previously defended the play’s legitimacy, stating, “The success that we have is not replicated always throughout the entire league.”

Feedback from other team executives has also questioned the ‘tush push’ strategy. Packers president Mark Murphy has been outspoken against the play, claiming, “There is no skill involved, and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less.” Murphy’s proposal to ban aiding runs echoes a sentiment from several NFL teams that the play should be eliminated.

As the NFL prepares for discussions leading up to the vote, it remains to be seen whether the ‘tush push’ will become a historical footnote in the league’s playbook or continue to dominate crucial game situations.