Tush Push Debate Rages at NFL's Annual Meeting
Sarah Johnson
March 31, 2025
Brief
The Green Bay Packers propose banning the NFL's controversial 'tush push' play, sparking heated debate among coaches about player safety, innovation, and league rules at annual meetings.
The "tush push" — a play as controversial as it is effective — dominated discussions at the NFL's annual league meeting on Monday. The Green Bay Packers have taken the charge in trying to ban the play, submitting a proposal that could spell its demise. This maneuver, made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles, has raised eyebrows for its strategic brilliance and, apparently, its divisive nature.
The Packers' proposed rule would prohibit offensive players from pushing a teammate who is lined up behind the snapper and receives the snap immediately. Violations would result in penalties, according to the proposal shared at a football operations meeting on Sunday.
As expected, this did not go unnoticed. Heated discussions reportedly broke out, according to ESPN, though Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur kept their lips zipped.
Not all coaches shared the Packers' silence. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin admitted he was "open-minded" about the ban. "The first time I saw it, I couldn’t believe it was legal because it’s illegal on a field goal," Tomlin said, as reported by The Athletic. But he was quick to acknowledge the innovation involved, adding, "You hate to penalize teams for being innovative." Still, player safety remained a key concern for him and others.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott echoed these concerns, emphasizing that safety should remain a priority. However, an unnamed source challenged the safety argument in an ESPN interview, dismissing it as a distraction. "It’s just a different play and it just looks different," the source said.
The debate around the tush push gained momentum during the Eagles' NFC Championship win over the Washington Commanders, where repeated offsides attempts to thwart the play led to NFL officials issuing warnings. This drama only added fuel to the fire.
Interestingly, while the play has caused such a stir, ESPN reports that it was used in less than 0.28% of all plays. A minor detail perhaps, but one that underscores how a small ripple can create big waves in the NFL.
Where this discussion will land remains to be seen, but for now, the tush push keeps the NFL's competitive spirit alive — and its meetings lively.
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Editor's Comments
It’s wild how a play used less than 0.28% of the time has sparked such a frenzy. The NFL is famous for turning molehills into mountains, but this debate is a classic example of how even the smallest innovation can shake up the status quo. Honestly, though, part of me wonders if the Packers are just a little salty about how effective the Eagles have been with it!
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