Packers Propose Rule Change to Eliminate ‘Tush Push’ Play in 2025 Season

The Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tush Push” play has been both highly effective and widely debated. Although the NFL did not ban it last offseason, league executive Troy Vincent revealed that a team has now submitted a proposal to eliminate it for the 2025 season.

According to The Athletic, the Green Bay Packers, who faced the Eagles in the NFC wild-card round, have formally presented the proposal to the league’s competition committee.

Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy has openly voiced his opposition to the play. Before the Super Bowl, he criticized it on the team’s website, stating:

“There’s no real skill involved, and it essentially guarantees a first down on short-yardage plays. I’d like to see the league bring back the old rule prohibiting players from pushing the quarterback forward. It was removed because officials found it difficult to enforce, but I believe the play is bad for the game. Returning to the traditional QB sneak would be a better approach—just like Bart Starr and the Packers used in the Ice Bowl.”

While the league chose not to ban the play last year, it did introduce a rule requiring any assisting players to line up at least one yard behind the quarterback.

The “Tush Push,” which involves teammates propelling the quarterback forward during a sneak attempt, has been a key part of the Eagles’ offensive success since 2022. However, concerns over its fairness and potential injury risks have sparked ongoing debate across the league.

Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher recently shared his thoughts on the controversial “Tush Push” play during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, stating that it doesn’t belong in football.

“It’s not a football play—it’s rugby,” Cowher said. “They call it a scrum, and that’s exactly what it is. Let’s be honest about it. You’re just pushing people forward, shoving them over. A traditional quarterback sneak makes sense, but when it turns into players pushing from behind, it stops being a strategic play in my opinion.”

While it may not rely on strategy, there’s no denying its effectiveness. The Eagles, with an impressive success rate of nearly 90% when executing the play, used it to secure their first touchdown in their dominant 40-22 victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Like Murphy, Cowher prefers the traditional quarterback sneak and isn’t a fan of teammates pushing a player forward—an essential element of the “Tush Push” and a key factor in its success.

“Football is a game of strategy,” Cowher added. “That play belongs in rugby. If you want to see a scrum, go watch a rugby match.”

It remains to be seen whether the Packers’ proposal will gain enough backing to prompt another rule change or even bring an end to one of the NFL’s most debated plays.