NFL owners are split on whether to ban the tush push play heading into the 2025 season, but commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly has a strong opinion on the matter.
The Green Bay Packers submitted a formal proposal last month to ban the tush push, which has been made famous by Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. NFL owners could have voted at their meetings in Florida this week on whether to approve or deny the proposal, but they instead decided to table the discussion. The conversation will likely be revisited at the next owners meetings in May.
According to Dianna Russini of the Athletic, Goodell wants to see the tush push banned. During the latest episode of her “Scoop City” podcast, Russini was asked by co-host Chase Daniel to name the number one reason she believes the tush push will be gone in 2025. She pointed to Goodell’s opinion of the play.
“Roger Goodell does not like the play. He thinks it’s ugly,” Russini said. “He doesn’t think it’s a football play. … The fact that this was tabled tells me that they’re gonna ban the tush push this year. They’re gonna find a way to get it out of football. Some of (the owners) want to be in line with Roger Goodell. I think some believe it’s an ugly play. I think whether or not they’ll admit it or not: If you can’t beat it, ban it.”
The tush push is in trouble.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 4, 2025
I get the sense the NFL will find a way to ban the play in 2025 ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/XTEwqbfeO2
The language of the Packers’ proposal calls 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.
The proposal could be revised in a way that would inspire more owners to vote in favor of it, but as of now at least 16 would reportedly vote against it. In order for the proposal to pass, at least 24 of 32 owners would need to vote in favor.
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.
There was a report a while back that Goodell wanted the tush push removed from football. The league responded by claiming the commissioner did not have a stance either way, but that is apparently not the case now.
