The NFL has postponed a decision on the Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the “tush push,” a signature play that significantly contributed to the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl success last season. Despite the delay, 16 teams supported the effort to eliminate the controversial maneuver.
While the play remains legal for now following the league’s Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach, its status for the 2025 season remains uncertain. Shortly after the proposal was tabled, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie addressed the situation, defending the play and questioning the push for its removal.
Lurie dismissed concerns about heightened injury risks, which some teams have cited as a reason for banning the tactic. “We’ve been very open to reviewing any data regarding the tush push,” Lurie stated. “There’s just no evidence that suggests it is unsafe. If it were, we wouldn’t continue using it.”
He also expressed frustration over the idea of a play being outlawed simply because one team executes it exceptionally well. “I don’t recall a time when a play was banned just because a single team—or a few teams—were able to run it effectively,” Lurie remarked. “That’s part of what makes football exciting. It’s a strategic battle. Let the game evolve naturally.”
Despite the backlash, Lurie remained confident that the Eagles would adjust if necessary. “If, for any reason, it does get banned, we’ll still aim to be the best in short-yardage situations. We have plenty of strategies we can use,” he assured.
The Packers, who suffered two losses to the Eagles in 2024—once in the season opener in Brazil and again in the NFC Wild Card round in Philadelphia—are among the teams eager to see the play eliminated. However, they are not alone in their stance, as several other teams hope to avoid facing Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ near-unstoppable execution of the play.
For now, the league must wait at least another month for further discussion on the matter. The topic is expected to resurface during the NFL’s next meetings in May, when a final decision on the tush push’s future could be made.
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