The Green Bay Packers have submitted a proposal to ban the push sneak, also known as the tush push, in the upcoming NFL season. The move has garnered support within the competition committee, but its implementation is expected to be contentious among coaches, general managers, and owners.
According to sources, the league office presented the rules proposal during the football operations meeting on Sunday, sparking heated discussions about the play’s impact on player safety and pace of play. Multiple teams have argued that there is no data to support a ban, with some executives describing it as “subjective” and “punishing” teams that excel at executing the play.
The push sneak has been a topic of debate since its introduction by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. Coaches, executives, and players have criticized the play for not being traditional football and making fourth-and-short situations less predictable.
The competition committee is expected to vote on all proposals on Tuesday morning, with the Packers proposal facing opposition from at least one team. Dallas Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones explained that the committee’s view is centered around consistency, stating, “We don’t allow pushing, we’re trying to be consistent with our rules.”
The Eagles are reportedly seeking support from former Philadelphia coordinators who have moved into head coaching positions elsewhere in the league, including Kellen Moore and Shane Steichen. However, their success hinges on gaining votes from these coaches and their own team.
The NFL owners will ultimately decide the fate of the push sneak proposal, with many executives expressing skepticism about its implementation. The debate highlights the challenges of navigating changing player tactics and the need for consistency in league rules.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44471856/tush-push-ban-support-competition-committee