MINNEAPOLIS — For the second time in two months, the tush push is in danger.
The Philadelphia Eagles‘ signature quarterback sneak play survived debate over its future during early April league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. But club and league officials did not feel comfortable enough with the play’s future to protect it for the long haul.
Advertisement
Rather than vote down the ban, officials tabled a vote until this week’s league meetings in Minneapolis.
Expect that vote to take place Wednesday.
As of late Friday, the Green Bay Packers had not amended their proposed ban to eliminate pushing or aiding the ball carrier, a league source confirmed to Yahoo Sports. The Packers could amend the language of the proposal this week in hopes of securing the necessary 24 of 32 votes to pass a league rule change.
The most likely amendment, per multiple league sources: a return to the league’s pre-2005 rule that prohibited all pushing and pulling of the ball carrier. Such a proposal would functionally eliminate the tush push but do so in a broader scope.
Advertisement
Competition committee chairman Rich McKay said in March that “nobody likes” how clearly a tush push-specific ban would target the Eagles and Buffalo Bills.
The tush push accounted for just 0.28% of plays last season, per ESPN data. The Eagles and Bills ran the play more over the past three seasons than the other 30 clubs combined.
Stopping Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in short-yardage situations has been quite a challenge for defenses across the NFL. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
(Cooper Neill via Getty Images)
The Eagles and Bills converted for a first down or touchdown on 87% of tush push plays the past three years, per ESPN data, compared to the rest of the league’s 71% clip.
While the Eagles and Bills’ plays will be more impacted by the statistically uncommon play, league opinion is split on how much it would actually hurt either team.
Advertisement
“The outcome of those 0.28% of plays is unlikely to change — teams are gonna get the sneak regardless of the push,” one source familiar with the debate considerations said. “Even when you watch the play. Sometimes the pusher doesn’t even get to make contact with [Jalen] Hurts.
“Other times he does, but it’s after the first down was reached.”
Injury data is lacking, but that isn’t stopping the push against the push
The Packers initially introduced the tush push ban this spring after team president Mark Murphy said he believed “the play is bad for the game” and “there is no skill involved.”
Some club officials balked at the Packers’ desire to litigate what plays do and don’t have skill.
Advertisement
Others, including Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, embraced the removal of competitively imbalanced plays that could reduce entertainment value.
“The reason we got the 2-point play is [we] said the extra point alone kicking it is not exciting enough,” Jones told Yahoo Sports. “That reminded me of how those things have evolved.
“It was more from the entertainment standpoint — which from my perspective, is a good discussion. The fact that fans could be interested in what we do with it. We do things, and if somebody does it really well or get an edge, we might make defensive, offensive adjustments.
“That’s the discussion.”
Advertisement
Passing the vote would require two-thirds buy-in, but clubs need not all vote in favor of the ban for the same reason. If some clubs vote to slow the defending Super Bowl champions, others for health and safety reasons, and more on the basis of entertainment concerns? Their votes will count equally. Like Supreme Court concurring opinions, what matters is attaining a majority.
The requisite votes were not there six weeks ago. But one league source felt that this week’s meeting is “usually the meeting that gets what the league office wants if it couldn’t get the votes in March.”
In 2023, the NFL changed its kickoff rule at the May meetings, allowing for fair catches on kickoffs to result in beginning a possession on the receiving team’s 25-yard line.
Advertisement
Competition committee chairman Rich McKay described that change as “all really driven by health and safety” at the time.
Available data has not pointed to clear enough proof of increased injury risk to ban it purely on the basis of making the game safer, multiple coaches, general managers and league representatives confirmed in early April.
But NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has nonetheless expressed safety-related concern.
“We have very little data from it, but beyond data, there’s also the mechanism of injury that we study …that leads us to show the risk involved in a particular play or particular tackle,” Goodell said on April 2. “There are a lot of plays where you see someone pulling or pushing somebody that are not in the tush push formation that I think do have an increased risk of injury.”
Advertisement
Historically, the more the league has framed a rule change through the lens of health and safety, the more likely it was to pass. Last year’s hip-drop tackle ban was an example, though its data was more concrete than that of tush push injury concerns.
And the May meetings offers a different environment from the wider-tent March meetings, which invites all head coaches and general managers to participate in rule change debates.
The only coaches and general managers likely to be present for this meeting are the handful on the competition committee.
One general manager predicted the league will pass a banning of all pushing and pulling of the ball carrier this week.
“They’ll do a closed door vote and then the rules will change,” the general manager told Yahoo Sports. “Would be surprised if that didn’t happen.”
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Mets vs. Red Sox odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 MLB picks, May 19 best bets from proven model
Imagn Images The New York Mets battle the Boston Red Sox in the first of a three-game interleague matchup on Monday night. The Mets lost two of three games to the New York Yankees this past weekend, while Boston lost two of three to Atlanta. The Mets (29-18), first in the National League East, are 12-13 on the road this year. The Red Sox (23-25), second in the American League East, are 12-11 on their home field in 2025.First pitch from Fenway Park in Boston is set for 6:45 p.m. ET. The Mets won all three meetings last year. New York is a -130 favorite on the money line (risk $130 to win $100) in the latest Red Sox vs. Mets odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 9. […]
Why Brad Marchand’s Panthers success is a positive for Bruins, the four-time All-Star’s former team
Kevin Sousa Brad Marchand grew up rooting for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Sunday he made history against his favorite childhood team, becoming the first player in NHL history to win at least five Game 7s against the same franchise. The last four times (2013, 2018, 2019 and 2024) he ended the Leafs' playoff hopes he was in a Boston Bruins jersey, but this time it was as a member of the Florida Panthers, thanks to a trade in March.In Sunday's 6-1 victory, Marchand had a goal and two assists, leaving the Maple Leafs once again out of the playoffs before the conference round in what has been a decade of postseason disappointment.After the win, Marchand spoke about beating the Leafs and what it's like not only to go against Toronto's players, but their fans as well. "I grew up a Leafs […]
Samir Xaud, candidato único à presidência da CBF, fala sobre Ronaldo: “Tem que ter diálogo”
Ronaldo desistiu de candidatura na CBF em março (Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Ronaldo ainda é peça central na CBF. Tanto que Samir Xaud, candidato único a presidência da Confederação, até o momento falou sobre o ex-jogador. “A gente tem vários ex-jogadores que podem contribuir. Mas especificamente, sobre o Ronaldo, quando você vai pedir voto, você não pede por e-mail”, questiona o dirigente de Roraima, em entrevista ao Charla Podcast. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Ainda questionando a candidatura frustrada do ex-atacante, Xaud, diz o que, para ele, seria o ideal. “Tem que ter diálogo. Quando você quer apresentar um projeto, liga que a gente troca ideias”, defendeu o dirigente, na mesma entrevista. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Ex-jogador tentou articular candidatura na CBF O fato é que Ronaldo tentou articular um processo de candidatura a presidente da Entidade em dezembro de 2024, mas acabou desistindo do projeto, […]
Denílson elege principal armador do Brasileirão hoje: “É o melhor”
Denílson, em discurso no Fechamento SporTV (Reprodução) Denílson considera que Arrascaeta não ocupa o posto de melhor armador do Brasileirão. Levando em conta o atual posicionamento ofensivo do camisa 10, o ex-jogador atrelou o status ao futebol de Gerson. Escalado de maneira mais avançada, o ‘Coringa’ é visto como o principal articulador de jogadas entre todos os meias do campeonato. “Há uma diferença do meio-campo do Flamengo para o meio-campo do Palmeiras. O Gerson, modéstia parte, é o melhor jogador da posição que a gente tem no Brasil. Hoje, ele faz de 10. Ele faz de armador.”, disse Denílson, no Fechamento SporTV. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “O Arrascaeta acaba virando muito mais um segundo atacante do que um 10. Essa responsabilidade é do Gerson.”, acrescentou. Suspenso, Gerson foi desfalque no empate entre Flamengo e Botafogo. Longe de uma noite inspirada, o time […]
Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon push for David Adelman to get full-time Nuggets role: ‘He was excellent for us’
The Denver Nuggets expected a lot of interim head coach David Adelman this season. After the shocking firing of Michael Malone, Adelman had just three regular-season games to prepare the Nuggets for the playoffs.He mostly succeeded. The Nuggets toppled the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round before taking the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder to a Game 7 in the second round. The magic ended there, as the Nuggets fell 125-93, and were eliminated from the postseason.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the disappointing end to the season, Adelman made quite the impression in the limited time he had running the team. Adelman received votes of confidence from Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and team governor Josh Kroenke after the Game 7 loss.Gordon — who played in the contest despite a hamstring injury — was the most complimentary of Adelman, outright saying […]
Miami Police release details following Antonio Brown boxing event incident
Police did not arrest former NFL star Antonio Brown was or charge him after he was detained following involvement in a fight after a Miami celebrity boxing event. A City of Miami Police Department spokesman told Fox News Digital that Miami Police responded to a call of shots fired early Saturday during an event hosted by popular streamer Adin Ross, but no arrests were made.Several videos surfaced on social media showing Brown fighting in a parking lot after the 10-match card, including one ending with the ex-Steelers and Buccaneers wide receiver in handcuffs. Later, Brown was back indoors with Ross on live-stream and said he blacked out, unsure of what transpired."Regarding the boxing event that happened last night," Brown wrote to 2.5 million followers. "I was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me. […]
Related
Mets vs. Red Sox odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 MLB picks, May 19 best bets from proven model
Imagn Images The New York Mets battle the Boston Red Sox in the first of a three-game interleague matchup on Monday night. The Mets lost two of three games to the New York Yankees this past weekend, while Boston lost two of three to Atlanta. The Mets (29-18), first in the National League East, are 12-13 on the road this year. The Red Sox (23-25), second in the American League East, are 12-11 on their home field in 2025.First pitch from Fenway Park in Boston is set for 6:45 p.m. ET. The Mets won all three meetings last year. New York is a -130 favorite on the money line (risk $130 to win $100) in the latest Red Sox vs. Mets odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 9. […]
Why Brad Marchand’s Panthers success is a positive for Bruins, the four-time All-Star’s former team
Kevin Sousa Brad Marchand grew up rooting for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Sunday he made history against his favorite childhood team, becoming the first player in NHL history to win at least five Game 7s against the same franchise. The last four times (2013, 2018, 2019 and 2024) he ended the Leafs' playoff hopes he was in a Boston Bruins jersey, but this time it was as a member of the Florida Panthers, thanks to a trade in March.In Sunday's 6-1 victory, Marchand had a goal and two assists, leaving the Maple Leafs once again out of the playoffs before the conference round in what has been a decade of postseason disappointment.After the win, Marchand spoke about beating the Leafs and what it's like not only to go against Toronto's players, but their fans as well. "I grew up a Leafs […]
Samir Xaud, candidato único à presidência da CBF, fala sobre Ronaldo: “Tem que ter diálogo”
Ronaldo desistiu de candidatura na CBF em março (Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Ronaldo ainda é peça central na CBF. Tanto que Samir Xaud, candidato único a presidência da Confederação, até o momento falou sobre o ex-jogador. “A gente tem vários ex-jogadores que podem contribuir. Mas especificamente, sobre o Ronaldo, quando você vai pedir voto, você não pede por e-mail”, questiona o dirigente de Roraima, em entrevista ao Charla Podcast. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Ainda questionando a candidatura frustrada do ex-atacante, Xaud, diz o que, para ele, seria o ideal. “Tem que ter diálogo. Quando você quer apresentar um projeto, liga que a gente troca ideias”, defendeu o dirigente, na mesma entrevista. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Ex-jogador tentou articular candidatura na CBF O fato é que Ronaldo tentou articular um processo de candidatura a presidente da Entidade em dezembro de 2024, mas acabou desistindo do projeto, […]
Denílson elege principal armador do Brasileirão hoje: “É o melhor”
Denílson, em discurso no Fechamento SporTV (Reprodução) Denílson considera que Arrascaeta não ocupa o posto de melhor armador do Brasileirão. Levando em conta o atual posicionamento ofensivo do camisa 10, o ex-jogador atrelou o status ao futebol de Gerson. Escalado de maneira mais avançada, o ‘Coringa’ é visto como o principal articulador de jogadas entre todos os meias do campeonato. “Há uma diferença do meio-campo do Flamengo para o meio-campo do Palmeiras. O Gerson, modéstia parte, é o melhor jogador da posição que a gente tem no Brasil. Hoje, ele faz de 10. Ele faz de armador.”, disse Denílson, no Fechamento SporTV. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “O Arrascaeta acaba virando muito mais um segundo atacante do que um 10. Essa responsabilidade é do Gerson.”, acrescentou. Suspenso, Gerson foi desfalque no empate entre Flamengo e Botafogo. Longe de uma noite inspirada, o time […]
Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon push for David Adelman to get full-time Nuggets role: ‘He was excellent for us’
The Denver Nuggets expected a lot of interim head coach David Adelman this season. After the shocking firing of Michael Malone, Adelman had just three regular-season games to prepare the Nuggets for the playoffs.He mostly succeeded. The Nuggets toppled the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round before taking the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder to a Game 7 in the second round. The magic ended there, as the Nuggets fell 125-93, and were eliminated from the postseason.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the disappointing end to the season, Adelman made quite the impression in the limited time he had running the team. Adelman received votes of confidence from Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and team governor Josh Kroenke after the Game 7 loss.Gordon — who played in the contest despite a hamstring injury — was the most complimentary of Adelman, outright saying […]
Miami Police release details following Antonio Brown boxing event incident
Police did not arrest former NFL star Antonio Brown was or charge him after he was detained following involvement in a fight after a Miami celebrity boxing event. A City of Miami Police Department spokesman told Fox News Digital that Miami Police responded to a call of shots fired early Saturday during an event hosted by popular streamer Adin Ross, but no arrests were made.Several videos surfaced on social media showing Brown fighting in a parking lot after the 10-match card, including one ending with the ex-Steelers and Buccaneers wide receiver in handcuffs. Later, Brown was back indoors with Ross on live-stream and said he blacked out, unsure of what transpired."Regarding the boxing event that happened last night," Brown wrote to 2.5 million followers. "I was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me. […]
Be the first to leave a comment