The day of reckoning for the Philadelphia Eagles’ infamous ‘tush push’ play approaches.
NFL team owners tabled a vote on the Green Bay Packers’ proposed rule change to ban the ‘Brotherly Shove’ earlier this spring at the annual league meeting in Florida. Multiple outlets have reported that the group of 32 team owners is now ready for the vote and will meet in Minneapolis on Tuesday and Wednesday to make a final decision.
The team owners also will vote on the Detroit Lions’ proposal to re-seed playoff teams based on record after the first round, on tweaks to the kickoff rule and on allowing players to participate in flag football events at the 2028 Olympics, according to Sports Illustrated.
Discussions surrounding a ban on the Eagles’ perfected version of the quarterback sneak play – in which the quarterback is pushed from behind by a running back and tight end to gain extra leverage – has been around since Philadelphia debuted the play in 2022. But talks of a potential ban heated up in February after the Packers submitted their initial proposal.
ESPN reported in late March that the ‘tush push’ ban proposal had supporters within the NFL’s competition committee. Still, certain teams are opposed to the ban entirely, and others have criticized the imprecise language the proposal had at the annual league meeting:
‘No offensive player may immediately at the snap, push or throw his body against a teammate, who was lined up directly behind the snapper and received the snap, to aid him in an attempt to gain yardage.’
According to Sports Illustrated, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh were among those looking for clarification.
Could a quarterback still be pushed from behind if it were by a guard? Could guards be pushed from behind by extra linemen on the field for the play?
Extra clarity has not been added to the proposal’s language so far, though that could change as the meeting in Minneapolis – and ensuing vote – gets underway.
How do rule changes work in the NFL?
For the ‘Tush Push’ ban proposal to become an official rule, it will first be reviewed by the NFL competition committee, which includes various team owners, front office officials and even active head coaches. According to the NFL, the committee is instructed to consider the following questions about a new rule or rule change:
- Does the change improve the game?
- How will it be officiated?
- How will it be coached?
- Can the player apply the rule on the field?
- Does the change enhance player protection?
Once the NFL competition committee outlines how the rule change will be implemented, all 32 team owners vote on whether or not to adopt the rule, usually at the annual team meeting. The new rule must have a 75% approval rating (24 of 32 teams) to pass.
Last year’s rule changes included the implementation of the NFL’s new kickoff format as well as a ban on hip-drop tackles.