As the NFL‘s Annual League Meeting approaches, teams have submitted various proposals for upcoming seasons. Among them, the Green Bay Packers have put forward a suggestion to ban the “tush push” play, a strategy that helped Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles secure a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
With the Eagles dominating the first quarter of Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs, the play that set up their opening touchdown came via the controversial “tush push.” The play received little criticism on social media or from analysts, as it left no room to avoid using the tactic, whether to secure a touchdown or convert a crucial first down.
Given this situation, several teams reportedly discussed the play and decided to submit a proposal for the Annual League Meeting. The Green Bay Packers, the team behind the proposal, are pushing for the NFL to ban the play as a legal method for scoring or securing a first down in most of the cases.
According to NFL Football Operations, the Packers’ proposal reads as follows:
“Club rule change proposal: Rule 12, Section 1. To prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who is lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap.“
Packers General Manager talked about the proposal before submitting it
As the Eagles were recognized by that play, the Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke on Tuesday to the media about it. “I’m aware of [the proposal]. We really haven’t had very many discussions about it. I’m sure we will over the next few weeks as we head into the owners’ meetings. So I’m aware that we did, but really haven’t had many discussions about it.”
Gutekunst remarked: “I know we’re not very successful against it, I know that, but to be honest, I haven’t put much thought into it. It’s been around for a while. We’ve used it in different fashions with a tight end.”
Bills HC Sean McDermott discussed Eagles’ Tush Push play at NFL Combine
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott was one of the many NFL coaches who weighed in on the controversial “tush push” play. When asked about the play, McDermott emphasized the importance of player safety, stating that health should be prioritized over any debate surrounding the tactic.
“There’s always been an injury risk, and I’ve shared that opinion over the last couple of years, especially as the play started to gain more attention, particularly last season,” McDermott said. “I just feel like player safety, the health, and well-being of our players, must remain at the top of the agenda, and that’s where it stands.”