The National Football League (NFL) has not received any proposals this year to ban the controversial quarterback sneak known as the ‘tush push.’ Troy Vincent, the NFL executive, confirmed this during a press conference at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. The deadline for teams to submit rule change proposals has passed without any action taken on this contentious play.
Historical Context of the Tush Push
The ‘tush push’ has gained notoriety, particularly due to its successful execution by the Philadelphia Eagles. Behind the powerful legs of quarterback Jalen Hurts and a formidable offensive line, the Eagles have mastered this short-yardage strategy. Following the Eagles’ victory in the 2024 Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers proposed a rule change to prohibit offensive players from pushing or pulling a runner. This proposal was supported by 22 of the 32 franchises but ultimately fell short by two votes.
On March 5, Brian Gutekunst, general manager of the Packers, stated at the combine that the team does not intend to pursue another ban on the play. “And nobody’s reached out to us about doing it,” Gutekunst remarked, indicating a shift in focus for the franchise.
Current Trends and Challenges
In the 2025 season, the Eagles struggled to replicate the same success with the ‘tush push’ as in previous years. Coach Nick Sirianni noted that other teams had developed effective strategies to counter the play. “I think there’s some things that teams did this year that they did a good job of being able to stop it,” he said. Sirianni emphasized the importance of either regaining dominance in executing the play or finding alternative methods for converting on critical downs.
The NFL has also instructed officials to enforce stricter rules against false starts in tight formations, which has added complexity to officiating the ‘tush push.’ There were indications that momentum was building for a proposed ban this offseason, particularly after discussions last year highlighted health and safety concerns, although the league’s data indicated no injuries resulted from the play.
Sean Payton, head coach of the Denver Broncos and a member of the NFL’s Competition Committee, shared his perspective on the issue. “Last year, we spent two hours on health and safety on the (tush push) and then added 1,000 kickoffs,” Payton said. “Which play do you think is more of a health risk? I think if we ever choose to move on from (the tush push), it won’t be because of health and safety. It’ll just be like we don’t like it, which is OK.”
In a similar vein, John Lynch, general manager of the San Francisco 49ers and also a member of the competition committee, commented on the evolving nature of the play. “Maybe it’s kind of solving itself,” he suggested, hinting at the possibility that teams may naturally adapt to the challenges presented by the ‘tush push’ without the need for formal rule changes.
As the offseason progresses, the NFL remains open to exploring modifications to rules concerning pushing and pulling players, but for now, the ‘tush push’ remains a part of the game. Teams will continue to strategize on how to effectively utilize or counter it in future seasons.
