On the brink of the Spring League Meeting, a modification has been made to one of the most eagerly awaited decisions on a potential rule change. The Green Bay Packers have put forward a revised proposal to prohibit the tush push play, as announced by the NFL on Monday.
A discussion and possible vote regarding the future of the tush push is anticipated this week, following its postponement during the Annual League Meeting on April 1. The updated proposal seeks to ban pushing or pulling a runner “in any direction at any time” or helping him to his feet, echoing a broader rule framework that existed from the league’s inception until 2005, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.
Consequently, if this passes, the tush push would be outlawed alongside any play involving a runner being pushed, pulled, or lifted. Thus, the proposal now aims to ban “assisting the runner.” Talks at the annual league meeting centered on reverting to former language, and the revision mirrors that, as reported by NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo.
The tush push, a move executed with significant success by the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts, is a variation of the QB sneak. In short-yardage situations, Hurts often positions himself with one foot forward and one back to gain momentum, supported by two to three teammates pushing him from behind—hence the name tush push or “Brotherly Shove,” as it’s also known.
While other teams have attempted the play, none have matched the Eagles’ success rate. Critics seeking to ban it argue it’s hazardous, though there’s no significant data backing that claim. The revised proposal still cites “player safety” and “pace of play” as its rationales. The tush push amendment was one of three announced in Monday’s league memo. Adjustments were also made to a rule proposal on free kick procedures and another on postseason seeding.
The Detroit Lions’ seeding proposal has been updated so that the division champion with the best record would be seeded No. 1, with the remaining six seeds determined solely by record, irrespective of division standing. The free kick proposal, aimed at increasing the frequency of onside attempts, was revised to alter player positioning on restraining lines and setup zones for kickoffs and safety kicks, also allowing teams to declare an onside kick at any point in the game when behind, not just in the fourth quarter. The Spring League Meeting is set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
