The ‘tush push’ might be safe… for now.

As reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the issue has been tabled at the ongoing league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, where owners opted against voting on the ban. 

Earlier, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that Green Bay Packers’ proposed ban of the controversial rugby-style quarterback sneak was unlikely to be approved. 

But that doesn’t mean the issue is off the table. Rather, Schultz understands there is a ‘better chance’ negotiations will be tabled for a future owners meeting. To gain approval, the proposed ban would need a ‘thumbs up’ from 24 of 32 teams whenever a vote does take place. 

Part of the issue is the wording of the proposed ban as it currently stands.

‘The current language in the proposal is just not clear enough and can easily be manipulated,’ one source told Schultz.

As reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Green Bay Packers ‘ proposed ban of the controversial rugby-style quarterback sneak is unlikely to be approved for now 

Head coach Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX

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The controversy around the tush push centers on the safety of a play that’s helped the Philadelphia Eagles win one Super Bowl and reach another.

It’s been a staple of the Eagles’ offense since 2022 and typically involves a pair of players lining up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and pushing him forward into his own offensive lineman as they fight their way forward against the defensive front. 

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is on the record stating he expects support on the issue from a number of his former ᴀssistants currently working around the league.  

‘We’ll see how it goes,’ Sirianni told reporters, as quoted by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. ‘All I will say about it is [Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan] Gannon, [Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane] Steichen and [New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen] Moore better vote for it. They are in the (head coach) position right now because of that play.

‘So all three, I better have those three votes right there and the Eagles’ vote,’ he added. ‘I at least know we have four.’

Tampa Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is also in favor of keeping it.

‘It’s a rugby element, but at the same time, when a team gets something that they’re good at, you gotta learn how to stop,’ Bowles said. 

‘I don’t think the first thing you can do is try to take it out of the ball game because that takes away the creativity of everybody trying to do everything else. So you gotta learn how to stop it. Until we learn how to stop it, they’re gonna continue. It it’s not broke, don’t fix it.’

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) attempts to score with the Tush Push play during the NFC Divisional Playoff game between Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Rams on January 19

Of course, not everyone feels the same way. Even teams that have used it in the past are voicing safety concerns.  

‘I feel, where I’m most concerned, is, even though there’s not significant data out there to this point, my main point and concern is the health and safety of the players first and foremost,’ Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters in Palm Beach. 

‘It’s two things,’ he continued. ‘It’s added force, number one, and then the posture of the players.’

The Bills have regularly run a form of the play, McDermott conceded, before saying the team will act with the ‘health and safety’ of the players in mind.

One thing that was approved on Tuesday was the proposed change to overtime, allowing both teams to possess the ball in the extra period, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes, seated, is interviewed at the NFL annual meetings

There had been a proposal for a 15-minute overtime, but Schefter is reporting that’s been reduced to 10 minutes.

Furthermore, the NFL’s proposal to move touchbacks to the 35-yard line has been approved. The proposal was aimed at increasing the number of kick returns, which have become a disappearing aspect of the NFL game. 

Owners have also approved a Compeтιтion Committee proposal to allow replay ᴀssist to consult with on-field officials over erroneous facemask, horse-collar tackle, or tripping penalties, among others. Or, for instance, if a roughing-the-pᴀsser penalty is called, but video replay shows a defender made contact with the ball – thereby negating the flag – replay ᴀssist can help to overturn the call on the field. 

Replay ᴀssist cannot overturn any erroneous non-calls.