The controversial tush push play has not been banned from the NFL after all. On Wednesday, NFL team owners narrowly rejected a proposal by the Green Bay Packers that aimed to eliminate the push-the-quarterback sneak, a tactic that significantly contributed to the Philadelphia Eagles' success in their Super Bowl-winning season. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Just pleased about the vote.” With the ruling, the Eagles’ signature play remains legal and fully integrated into the game.
The Packers proposed a ban that would have prohibited any teammate from pushing or pulling a ballcarrier anywhere on the field. Should this violation have occurred, it would have resulted in a 10-yard penalty. If passed, this ban would have come into effect in the 2025 season. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones commented on the decision, stating, “The debate itself is great for people to be looking at it, interested in it. I love the name. I think it’s great entertainment and great for the league — the discussion, I’m talking about, just the debate.”
A total of 22 teams voted in favor of the proposed ban, falling just two votes short of the required 24 for ratification. The vote, which ended 22-10, took place during a privileged session attended by one owner from each team along with their family members. Earlier informal voting indicated 22 to 23 teams were in favor of the ban, showcasing a divided opinion among team owners.
The proposal to ban the tush push received unanimous support from both the NFL’s competition committee and its health and safety committee, as noted by Rich McKay, the CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and co-chairman of the competition committee. McKay stated, “It takes 24 votes to pass anything. And we don’t set a low bar. This is not a majority vote. … In this case, those votes were not there, so the rule will stay as it is.”
Initially, the Packers submitted a more direct proposal earlier in the offseason aimed solely at the quarterback push play. This original proposal was revealed during the NFL Combine in February and underwent fierce debates among coaches, general managers, and owners during the league’s annual meeting in March. The league ultimately tabled the proposal in April, as 16 teams were believed to support the ban.
The Packers adjusted their proposal for the recent meeting, suggesting that no offensive player should be allowed to “push, pull, lift, or assist the runner except by individually blocking opponents for him.” This change was clarified as being aimed at improving player safety and enhancing the pace of play. Even as late as Wednesday morning, several owners were uncertain about the proposal's outcome.
The quarterback push has become a staple for the Eagles, earning nicknames such as “tush push” and “brotherly shove.” The Eagles have effectively utilized this technique, with players lining up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts to propel him forward for crucial first downs and touchdowns after he takes the snap. Opponents of the proposed ban, including former Eagles center Jason Kelce, argued that a team should not be penalized simply for mastering a particular technique.
Supporters of the Packers’ proposal likened the push play to a rugby scrum, raising concerns about potential injuries due to the physicality involved in such plays. However, league health and safety officials indicated there was no existing injury data to substantiate the need for a ban. Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney remarked, “I don’t think it’s the end of the world that it’s not banned. … Even if it passed today, we were still going to have quarterback sneaks in the game.”
The debate surrounding the tush push intensified following a notable goal-line sequence during the Eagles’ NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders in January, where the Commanders’ players jumped offside repeatedly, prompting discussions about fairness in the game. Ultimately, the Eagles scored a touchdown without needing any intervention.
With the tush push play remaining legal, the Eagles can continue utilizing this strategy in crucial third- and fourth-down situations as they defend their Super Bowl title. The Packers’ involvement in the unsuccessful proposal will certainly add an interesting subplot when the two teams meet next season; they are scheduled for a Monday night game on November 10 in Green Bay.
In addition to the vote on the tush push, owners approved a proposal to modify the kicking team's alignment on onside kicks, allowing players to start at the kickoff line instead of one yard back, and removing the previous restriction on attempting onside kicks only during the fourth quarter. The Detroit Lions also withdrew their proposal to change the playoff seeding system, which did not garner sufficient support among owners.
