Packers update language on proposal to ban Tush Push

The Green Bay Packers have updated the language on their proposal to ban the Eagles' signature Tush Push.

By Dave Zangaro • Published May 19, 2025

As NFL owners prepare to meet this week in Minneapolis, the Green Bay Packers have updated their proposal that would ban the Eagles’ signature play, the Tush Push.

Basically, the new proposal reverts back to similar language that was in the rule book before 2004. It broadens the rule to ban any pushing, pulling or lifting of a runner.

The Packers’ initial proposal this spring was apparently too specific and the discussion at the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, a couple months ago was tabled after opinions were split. The straw poll reportedly had it right down the middle at 16-16 — and 24 votes are needed to pass a rule change.

At that time, Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay brought up the possibility of tweaking the proposal to go back to the old language.

Here’s what McKay said about that in early April, via NFL.com:

"Up to 2004, we had rules in place that prohibited pushing and pulling, and we deleted that from the book because it became harder for our officials to officiate downfield what was going on," McKay said. "So that got deleted. From that came a play like this and a formation like this. So I think the idea was, listen, as opposed to voting on this particular proposal today, Green Bay asked could we go back and talk about reintroducing the 2004 language, study it, understand it, and talk about it again when we get to May."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also spoke about possibly going back to the old language so it’s not surprising to see the proposal tweaked in this way. And it seems like the momentum is heading toward this proposal passing.

Owners are expected to vote at the meetings in Minneapolis on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. It would take 24 of 32 votes for the proposal to pass.

The proposal still cites the reasons for the potential rule change as "player safety” and "pace of play.” The NFL’s data — zero injuries on the play in 2024 — seems to indicate that the play is a safe one. Some of the detractors of the play have spoken about being proactive to prevent future injuries. But even McKay admitted some of the discussion earlier this offseason was about the aesthetics of the play.

The Eagles, who have run the Tush Push way better than any team in the NFL, have been defending its safety and legitimacy for years now. They have been even more vocal in recent months as the play has come under attack again.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Eagles have been lobbying recently to keep the play as is.

"We've been very open to whatever data exists on the Tush Push and there's just been no data that shows that it isn't a very, very safe play,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in early April. "If it weren't, we wouldn't be pushing the Tush Push.

"But I think, first of all, it's a precision play. It's very practiced. We devote a lot of resources to the Tush Push. We think we have an unusual use of personnel because we have a quarterback (Jalen Hurts) that can squat over 600 pounds and an offensive line that's filled with All-Pro players. That combination with incredible, detailed coaching with Coach (Jeff) Stoutland, has created a play we can be very successful at. There's other ways of gaining that half yard, that yard. There's quarterback sneaks, other types, but we've been very, very good at it.”

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/packers-update-language-on-proposal-to-ban-tush-push/666697/

Player safety and pace of game? Say what? It’s honestly the most ridiculous and pathetic thing. Any other team can run the play they just aren’t very good at it. There’s no data to support player safety is jeopardised by the play and pace of play what even they are arguing?

And if they changed the rule because it was hard for officials to keep up with the game down field then what’s changed? Why wouldn’t that be an issue now? It’s just a nonsense.

2 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Player safety and pace of game? Say what? It’s honestly the most ridiculous and pathetic thing. Any other team can run the play they just aren’t very good at it. There’s no data to support player safety is jeopardised by the play and pace of play what even they are arguing?

And if they changed the rule because it was hard for officials to keep up with the game down field then what’s changed? Why wouldn’t that be an issue now? It’s just a nonsense.

The pace of play excuse is even more pathetic than player safety. That play takes no more time to run than any other play or any regular QB sneak.

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

The pace of play excuse is even more pathetic than player safety. That play takes no more time to run than any other play or any regular QB sneak.

Well and also it’ll be determined by the previous play anyway… and quite often (though this is purely an initial gut instinct) the play comes off a run that falls short. So I’m sure quite often the play clock is running and therefore we have 40 seconds no matter what play we run. So yeah it’s complete rubbish.

The Eagles should move to ban the Lambeau Leap.

The Brother Shove should not be banned. The Packers argument is weak.

2 hours ago, jsdarkstar said:

The Eagles should move to ban the Lambeau Leap.

The Brother Shove should not be banned. The Packers argument is weak.

Fortunately the vote to have it banned fell short.