In recent days, the Green Bay Packers have made a major move, filing an updated proposal to the NFL. Their stated aim? To outlaw the much-maligned “tush push” play that’s exploded in use, particularly by the Philadelphia Eagles. The change to the proposed rule would restore regulations that existed prior to 2005. It wants to expand that initial ban, making it a more stringent prohibition on pushing or pulling a ball carrier at any point on the field.
In the tush push, the team puts one or more players behind the quarterback. Third, they launch him downfield into the second wave of defenders. This strategy has been very successful, as the Eagles and Buffalo Bills have both led the league in this type of execution. Those two teams were responsible for 163 tush pushes in the past three seasons combined. That’s more than the rest of the NFL combined.
Even during last season, the tush push made up just 0.28% of all plays run. The Eagles and Bills were flapping their wings, achieving near-perfect efficiency with touchdowns or first downs on 87% of their tries. Conversely, the rest of the league failed at an alarmingly high rate at 71%.
League owners are expected to soon vote on this proposal. They’ll be looking at other rule changes—for example, modifying playoff seeding and onside kick rules. A growing crisis in the tush push conversation! Even players, like New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley, are getting in on the action, providing their takes just last week at the NFL’s owners’ meetings.
“Get better at stopping it.” – Saquon Barkley
The Packers’ proposal is intertwined with discussions about NFL players’ participation in Olympic flag football in 2028. The movement to ban the tush push is making headway. Proponents argue that offensive players need only worry about blocking their assigned individual defender, not helping out the runner.
“Offensive players cannot assist the runner except by individually blocking opponents for him.” – Green Bay Packers’ proposal
The NFL is preparing for a momentous vote. Clubs will test the impact of the rule change on play, and its place in the rapidly changing tactics of today’s game. Whether or not this proposal passes may color how offenses start to attack short-yardage situations going forward.
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