The Green Bay Packers have officially intensified their campaign against the controversial tush push play. Ahead of Tuesday’s ownership meeting, the Packers submitted a revised proposal that aims to revert NFL rules back to 2005, a time when both pulling and pushing of the ball carrier was strictly prohibited. This strategic move directly addresses the core of the tush push technique, which has become a staple for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2005, the NFL allowed pushing the ball carrier as a response to officials rarely throwing flags when it occurred. This loophole was expertly exploited by the Eagles, who integrated the tush push into their playbook, making it a formidable part of their offensive strategy. By proposing a general ban on all forms of pushing the runner, the Packers’ proposal cleverly avoids appearing as a direct attack on the Eagles' signature play, even though it’s clear that’s exactly what’s happening.
The proposal requires a minimum of 24 votes to pass. According to reports, the league was split evenly, 16-16, on the Packers' previous, more flawed proposal that sought to prohibit immediate pushing of the player who receives the snap. Had this proposal succeeded, it would have introduced confusion and inconsistency among officiating crews. Moreover, it could have opened up a new avenue for disputes regarding subjective decisions on what constitutes an "immediate" push, potentially transforming key touchdowns or first downs into costly 10-yard penalties.
The official rationale for this proposal centers around player safety and the pace of play. However, there is currently no substantial data to indicate that pushing the runner creates any safety concerns. In fact, no one has convincingly argued that the tush push affects the overall pace of the game—except in instances where defenses, pinned near their goal line, jump offside in an attempt to time their defense perfectly to counter the play.
If this proposal passes, several outcomes can be expected. Initially, there may be an effort to enforce rules against downfield pushing at the start of the 2025 season, guided by the NFL’s headquarters at 345 Park Avenue. However, it’s anticipated that officials will revert to not penalizing for assisting the runner, a practice that hasn’t been enforced since the 1991 playoffs. In that game, a flag was thrown against Tim Grunhard during a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
Moreover, the Eagles will likely continue to execute a highly effective quarterback sneak, even without the assistance of the tush push. This indicates that while the league may be taking steps to suppress the play, its effectiveness may not diminish significantly on the field.
The sentiment among league officials appears to be that the tush push doesn’t resemble traditional football. Despite the lack of evidence supporting claims of safety risks, the push to eliminate it is underway. This raises a broader question: What innovations may be next on the chopping block? The lesson for all teams is clear: continue to innovate. However, be cautious—if you develop a strategy that proves too effective and unique, the league will likely find a way to stifle it.
