NFL Insiders Feel New Potential Proposal of Tush Push Rule Change Gets Strong Support

The tush push play the Philadelphia Eagles made famous by lining up players behind the quarterback and pushing him forward on a sneak reportedly may be in trouble during the upcoming owners meetings this month.

While the league owners tabled the issue last month, Mike Jones of The Athletic reported Monday the competition committee could present a new proposal that would outlaw pushing or pulling ball-carriers anywhere on the field so it wasn't just limited to quarterbacks in the tush push scenarios.

According to Jones, "people within the league believe such a proposal would have strong support."

ESPN's Kalyn Kahler noted in March the Green Bay Packers put forth the initial proposal to "prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap."

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported 16 teams opposed that proposal before the league ultimately decided to table the discussion in part to give opponents of the play more time to modify the overall proposal with further research.

Mike Jones reported the expectation is the debate will continue during the owners meetings on May 20 and 21 with the more expanded proposal that would be "reviving a rule that was on the books for decades before being removed after the 2004 season because of the challenge in identifying violations on downfield plays."

Opponents of the tush push will need to garner more support, as two-thirds of the league will have to vote in favor of banning such plays.

Kahler reported the Packers listed player safety and pace of play as their two reasons for initially proposing the ban, although the injury concerns were not backed by data and instead "a hypothetical conversation centered on potential injuries."

One team executive said, "it's not backed by data. It was all subjective."

It is easy to see the proposal to ban the play as largely targeted at the Eagles, as they just won the Super Bowl in part because of their success in short-yardage situations. With a formidable offensive line, players such as Saquon Barkley to push the pile and a strong quarterback in Jalen Hurts, they are uniquely built to run the play to success.

In fact, they even scored the first touchdown in their Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs using the play.

Perhaps some around the league will see the play as less targeted at just one franchise if the specifics of the proposal are changed to include ball-carriers all over the field.

They will need to if it is going to pass with a two-thirds majority vote.