The NFL has decided to keep the controversial “tush push” play in the game for now, following a vote by league owners on Wednesday. Originally popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles and later adopted by teams like the Buffalo Bills, the move involves pushing the quarterback forward in short-yardage situations. Despite some pushback, including from Bills head coach Sean McDermott, the effort to ban the play did not gather enough support.
The push to eliminate the play was led by members of the NFL’s competition and health and safety committees, citing injury concerns. McDermott, who is part of the competition committee, argued that the posture involved in the play could potentially lead to serious injuries, even though there’s little statistical evidence to back that claim. “I think being responsible and proactive is the right way to go,” he said at the March owners’ meetings.
Opposition to the ban came most vocally from the Eagles. Owner Jeffrey Lurie and GM Howie Roseman defended the play, emphasizing that no reliable data supports claims of it being unsafe. “Health and safety is the top priority, but we’ve seen nothing that says this play is dangerous,” Lurie noted during a league meeting.
The final vote on the proposed ban fell short. According to league sources, only 10 teams voted against keeping the play, far fewer than the 24 needed to approve the rule change. The revised rule would have banned any player from pushing, pulling, or lifting another player, narrowing the tactic significantly.
Statistically, the Eagles have used the play most frequently—122 times since 2022—followed by the Bills at 74 attempts. While Philadelphia has succeeded on 105 of those tries, the Bills posted a league-best 94% success rate in 2024. Despite occasional failures, including key moments in the playoffs, the Bills and other teams will continue to lean on the tactic in critical situations.
