Why Did NFL Reportedly Pick Packers to Submit Rule Change to Ban 'Tush Push' Play?

The Green Bay Packers seem to have drawn the short straw as the NFL sought to ban the "tush push" perfected by the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Multiple NFL front office sources said the league office essentially recruited the Packers to submit the proposal, and a high-ranking executive from another NFC team said the league picked the Packers to do so because they don't have a singular owner who would balk at such a request," ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported Monday. "The team is owned by a half-million-plus stockholders."

This corroborates reporting from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio in May.

According to Demovsky, an NFL spokesperson declined to comment for his story.

Packers president Mark Murphy, prior to stepping down from the role in July, refrained from giving a firm answer when addressing this question in the spring:

Green Bay formally submitted the proposal to outlaw the "tush push" in February and amended its proposal in May to gain more support. The effort still failed to garner enough votes from NFL owners to go into effect.

Being the public face of this put the franchise in a tricky position when the Eagles are a direct Super Bowl rival in the NFC and on the schedule for this season.

"The Packers didn't do their coaches any favors if they weren't sure they could get rid of it," one anonymous defensive coach told Demovsky. "They knew they were going to have to play them again and if this thing didn't pass, look out."

The Eagles might be a little petty, too, if they want to send a symbolic message to their opponents on Monday night.

Popular sentiment could be turning against the play, especially after the controversial non-fumble in Philly's Week 8 win over the New York Giants. Another vote next offseason may yield a different outcome.

For now, the Packers might have to reap what they sowed as the organization that spearheaded the initial ban.