NFL team owners are getting set to vote on a modified proposal calling for the tush push to be banned, and there seems to be a sense that the rule change could finally pass.
The Green Bay Packers in March submitted a formal proposal to ban the tush push, which has been made famous by Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. The language of the initial proposal called for implementing a rule that would “prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap.” The play would result in a 10-yard penalty.
Owners were split on the proposal, so they decided to table their vote until the spring owners meetings in Minnesota. Those meetings will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Minneapolis.
According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the tush push proposal will be modified on-site to call for banning the pushing or pulling of a ball carrier by a teammate anywhere on the field.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports believes the revised language could lead to the proposal being approved, which would only come by way of a “yes” vote from at least 24 of 32 team owners.
NFL team owners could vote this week on a proposal that would ban the tush push. Green Bay’s proposal, tabled in March, didn’t have the support to pass, and belief is the revised language to effectively ban all pushing/pulling of the ball-carrier could lead to a passed proposal.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) May 19, 2025
The initial proposal called for banning players from pushing a teammate “immediately at the snap.” That leaves room for a potential loophole, as players could simply wait a split second and then push the quarterback across the line of scrimmage.
Those who have argued in favor of the tush push ban say the play increases the risk of injury for players, though there has been no known data to support that. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly has a strong opinion about the play, and there is a chance that could influence certain team owners.
