Last week, while NFL teams were getting ready to travel to Palm Beach, Florida, for the league’s yearly spring owners meetings, an AFC executive offered his perspective on various rules proposals likely to be voted on. One in particular captured his focus — similar to the rest of the NFL — and also his ire: The possible prohibition of the quarterback sneak referred to as the “tush push.”
“The executive stated that there’s no basis for considering it a matter deserving a vote.” “If it’s about safety, potential events are unlikely to [influence a vote].” We shouldn’t alter the rules to avoid injuries that aren’t truly occurring. … This suggestion arises because some individuals are upset that the offense has an edge over the defense, and the [Philadelphia] Eagles simply execute it more effectively — various offensive linemen, different coordinators, they just keep progressing. Now it’s unexpectedly a concern about an injury, despite the data indicating it isn’t?
“Picture that as the way the NFL operated,” he went on. “If a few of these individuals were in charge during the [Johnny] Unitas era, we might be deciding on [prohibiting] the forward pass.”
It was a sarcastic jab aimed at the Green Bay Packers and team president Mark Murphy, whom many consider to be the primary instigator of the Packers’ proposal to essentially prohibit the tush push. However, it is also a moment that highlights the contempt for altering a regulation without evidence to justify it.
The discussion persisted visibly on Monday, as AFC head coaches spoke to the press, and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott — whose squad implements a variation of the tush push yet endorses a prohibition — framed the suggestion as a preventative measure. His point was that the absence of injuries doesn’t always reflect an accurate assessment of the associated risks. The NFL’s top medical officer, Allen Sills, is also involved in the ongoing discussions, playing a crucial role in guiding the league office on what he sees as a valid issue if the play continues to be part of the game.
Teams with a lean toward banning tush push (3)
Buffalo Bills: Head coach Sean McDermott described the ban on tush pushes as a “preventive” step on Monday, even though there is no evidence indicating that the play leads to an increased injury rate.
Dallas Cowboys: Team CEO and co-owner Stephen Jones has expressed support for prohibiting the play, referencing the need for uniformity regarding “leverage” plays. He pointed out that during field goals and extra points, linebackers are prohibited from gaining leverage against the offensive line by pushing the backs of their defensive linemen.
Green Bay Packers: The proposal on the table is a ban, and team president Mark Murphy has notably supported removing this play from the game. Head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst appeared uninterested in discussing it on Monday, but Murphy holds the reins here.
Teams that appear to lean against banning tush push (10)
Baltimore Ravens: Head coach John Harbaugh expressed his belief that the tush push is a legitimate “football play,” appearing to counter the criticism that it resembles a rugby scrum. He mentioned that he would consider altering his decision on the play if health and safety issues took precedence.
Cleveland Browns: Head coach Kevin Stefanski opposed a rule change and indicated that the Browns plan to implement their own interpretation of the tush push in the future.
Detroit Lions: General manager Brad Holmes has stated openly that the Lions oppose prohibiting the tush push.
Houston Texans: Head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated that a ban would “penalize” teams for successfully carrying out a play.
Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen, the head coach of the Colts and a former offensive coordinator for the Eagles during the development of the tush push, has expressed his opposition to banning the play.
New England Patriots: Head coach Mike Vrabel has expressed publicly his opposition to prohibiting the play.
New York Jets: Head coach Aaron Glenn has expressed his opposition to prohibiting the play.
Philadelphia Eagles: This is their go-to strategy on fourth-and-short, and head coach Nick Sirianni is arguably the historical genius behind the play’s inception. He has consistently opposed the ban on the play and has expressed his views at every chance.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Head coach Todd Bowles has publicly stated that it’s the responsibility of the defensive coaches to determine how to halt the play and that he bears no ill will toward it.
Tennessee Titans: Head coach Brian Callahan stated openly that it’s a solid play and disagrees with the idea that it should be banned from football.
Teams sitting on the fence when it comes to a tush push ban (3)
Teams sitting on the fence when it comes to a tush push ban (3)
Los Angeles Rams: We’re experiencing mixed emotions within the Rams regarding the ban. General manager Les Snead informed Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein that he thinks the injury statistics do not justify a prohibition. However, head coach Sean McVay has stated two clear points. Initially, he asserts that it doesn’t resemble a “football play,” a frequent point noted by detractors of the tush push. Secondly, McVay expressed that he believes the play should never have been permitted in the league initially. It appears that Snead is not in favor of prohibiting the play, whereas McVay opposes the play’s existence entirely. The Rams stand on the sidelines without a definitive collective stance.
Kansas City Chiefs: Although head coach Andy Reid acknowledged that the tush push might be prohibited if it threatens player health and safety, he also asserted that each side of the debate has its valid points.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned that he remains receptive to the discussions for and against the play.
The league’s discussion regarding the rule is anticipated to continue Tuesday morning, possibly leading to a vote — or postponement of the proposal — shortly thereafter.