INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL team owners could soon deliberate on a proposal aimed at banning or limiting the push-the-quarterback sneak, a play that has become synonymous with the Philadelphia Eagles. This signature move, often referred to as the “tush push” or “brotherly shove,” was prominently featured during the Eagles’ recent run to the Super Bowl.
According to Troy Vincent, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, a proposal to modify the rules surrounding this controversial play has been submitted by an undisclosed NFL team. “That has picked back up,” Vincent stated during a break at a league meeting. “We do have a club playing-rule proposal around 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?’”
While Vincent did not reveal the team behind the proposal, it is common for individual teams to submit rule-change proposals during the offseason. These proposals, alongside those from the competition committee, will be presented to the team owners at the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, in late March.
For any proposal to be enacted, it must be ratified by at least 24 of the 32 NFL teams. Proposals can be modified or withdrawn before the final vote. Vincent noted that this topic has been a subject of discussion for years, particularly alongside the hip-drop tackle. The NFL banned the hip-drop tackle last offseason due to safety concerns.
League health and safety officials have previously considered banning the push play. They express concerns about the potential for injuries due to the physical nature of the play, which involves players pushing against the quarterback at the line of scrimmage.
Opinions within the NFL community are divided. Buffalo Bills Coach Sean McDermott, a member of the competition committee, has voiced concerns about the play's safety. “To me, there’s always been an injury risk with that play,” he remarked. “Player safety and the health and safety of our players has to be at the top of our game.”
Some critics argue that the play resembles a rugby scrum more than a traditional football maneuver. Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy stated, “The play is bad for the game, and we should go back to prohibiting the push of the runner.”
Conversely, Eagles Coach Nick Sirianni defends the play, emphasizing that their success with it should not lead to a rule change, given that other teams do not replicate their level of success.
In addition to the push play discussions, the NFL is considering implementing an electronic system for measuring first downs. After years of testing, the league plans to present its findings to the owners at the March meeting. “There’s always been a decision of test it, bring back the results, and then you can begin talking about regular season use,” Vincent explained. The proposed system involves on-field officials manually spotting the ball, with the electronic system assisting in determining whether a first down was achieved.
Vincent mentioned, “We understand there’s a place for the integration of football technology… but there’s always a human element that will always exist.”
As the NFL continues to explore these changes, the balance between tradition and innovation remains at the forefront of these discussions.
