NFL's Tush Push Rule Change Reportedly Has 'Momentum' for Ban After Packers' Proposal

The Green Bay Packers' proposed rule change to get the tush push banned could end up getting passed.

On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 1:45 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini said there is "more momentum" to ban the play than at any point in the past.

"I know we've talked about it here on the show, where I said, I didn't think that this would probably be the year where I could see change. I feel like it's getting more momentum in terms of those opposed to it than I've ever heard before. Usually, it's like everyone's like, nah, nah, nah. There's like those one or two people that sit on it that are against it, but it's catching fire.

"But there was only one team that brought it up. It was the Packers. Now, all of a sudden, everyone wants to ban it because they can't stop it."

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed his team was the one that proposed the rule to ban the play that has been synonymous with the Philadelphia Eagles for the past three seasons.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL combine, Gutekunst didn't really provide specific details of why the Packers proposed the change beyond "we're not very successful" defending it.

"I know we're not very successful against it, I know that. But to be honest with you, I have not put much thought into it. It's been around for a while," Gutekunst said. "We've used it in different fashions with our tight end [Tucker Kraft]. I think there will be a lot of discussions about it. I've got to kind of look at some of the information as far as injury rates and things like that, but we'll see."

In the wake of the rule being proposed, there have been split opinions among coaches around the NFL about whether or not to ban the tush push.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters at the combine he would have a "hard time" making a play illegal because it's successful, but it would be a "different thing" if it was because of a safety issue.

On the other side of the equation, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he supports banning the tush push because there's "just no other play in our game where you can absolutely get behind somebody and push them."

Since implementing the tush push as a component of their offense, the Eagles actually had their lowest success rate on it during the 2024 season at 81.3 percent. They were over 90 percent in 2022 and 83 percent in 2023.

All of the proposed rule changes require 75 percent approval from the 32 NFL team owners to be passed (24 votes). The vote will take place as part of the annual league meetings being held from March 30-April 2 in Palm Beach, Florida.