Jalen Hurts and the Eagles scored their first touchdown in Super Bowl LIX using the tush push. But it’s not just about that single game—the tush push has been the talk of the town ever since the Eagles mastered the art. As a result, at the league’s annual meeting set for the end of the month, the proposal to ban this move has become a hot topic.
Before the annual meeting, NFL teams submitted eight major proposals for rule changes. The NFL insider, Dianna Russini, was on the Dan Patrick Show on Thursday. When Patrick asked about the key proposals, Russini pointed at the Green Bay Packers’ demand for a tush push ban. She said, “I think it’s a long shot… still. I actually thought it had. I thought there were more teeth to it a year ago.” Reportedly, during the 2023 NFL season, Roger Goodell wanted to ban the tush push. But, hey! The Eagles won the Super Bowl LIX standing on it.
Russini added, “And you saw the report that Green Bay is the one that proposed it. Because they bring up player safety. There’s no information about that out there. That’s not really a strong leg to stand on at this point. But even having conversations about this over the last few weeks when it started to bubble up again.” One of the players involved in the tush push move was Jalen Hurts.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ “tush push” Jalen Hurts sneak has made the team almost unstoppable in short-yardage situations. (Photo by Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Eagles are best known for their signature move—pushing their quarterback to gain extra yards. They have been exceptionally successful with this play, converting 39 out of 48 ‘tush push’ plays into first downs or touchdowns during the 2024 season, including the playoffs. That’s exactly why the Packers have stepped up to request a ban.
In their official statement to the league, the Packers proposed a rule change to “prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately after the snap.” Let’s see how that plays out.
Beyond the tush push, the Detroit Lions are pushing for changes to illegal defensive contact and holding penalties. Meanwhile, the Eagles are advocating for postseason overtime rules to apply in the regular season as well. That’s not all! At the NFL’s annual meeting in Florida scheduled on March 30, other key topics include allowing wild card teams to be seeded higher than division winners and preventing IR players from counting toward the roster limit.
On top of that, the Steelers have proposed allowing teams to contact free agents during the legal tampering window. Oh, clever move, right? Meanwhile, the Commanders are pushing for more opportunities to scout potential playoff opponents—a crucial advantage for any NFL team. Lastly, more than five teams are advocating for practice access to K-balls, which are currently only provided on game day.
The league will dive into these proposals during a four-day meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, with team owners in attendance. Meanwhile, several NFL head coaches—including Sean McDermott—have voiced their support for banning the tush push.
Sean McDermott and other HCs support the tush push ban
Bills head coach Sean McDermott didn’t hold back when discussing the tush push with reporters—he openly admitted that it worries him. According to him, the play increases the risk of injury for players attempting to gain a first down. As debates over the tush push ban heat up once again, McDermott emphasized player safety, saying, “My strong feeling is let’s make sure that what we are doing keeps our players healthy and safe. I don’t know if the right word is … but the physics of it scares me—the positioning of heads, spines, or whatever, that scares me.” He also clarified that while he isn’t a medical expert, his biggest concern is the potential for injuries.
Jan 2, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott takes a knee as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3). Tended to on the field following a collision in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
However, if we look at the stats for gaining first downs, the Bills rank second—right behind the Eagles. According to ESPN, over the past three seasons, the Eagles have used the tush push to convert 92 first downs, while Sean McDermott’s Bills have done so 50 times. Below them, the Bears and Steelers also make the list, with 14 and 12 first downs, respectively. It’s surprising to see McDermott so concerned about the play, considering his team benefits from it more than almost anyone else.
That said, the NFL still has a long road ahead if it wants to eliminate this rule. The tush push isn’t just a strategic advantage on the field—it’s also a loophole in the system itself. So, what do you think? Should the NFL and Roger Goodell should ban it?
The post NFL Owners’ Stance on Packers Tush Push Ban Almost Confirmed After Sean McDermott and Coaches Supported Proposal appeared first on EssentiallySports.
