NFL Delays Vote on 'Tush Push' Ban as Goodell Pushes for Broader Rule Change

League owners table decision on controversial play until May, with Commissioner advocating for a return to pre-2004 rules banning all pushing or pulling of ball carriers.

The NFL postponed a vote on banning the 'tush push' play, commonly used by the Philadelphia Eagles, until the May 2025 owners' meeting.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed concerns about the safety of the play and is lobbying for a broader rule change to prohibit all pushing or pulling of ball carriers, as was the rule prior to 2004.
Only 16 of the 24 required teams supported the Green Bay Packers' initial proposal to ban the 'tush push,' prompting the league to delay the decision for further discussion.
Critics of the play argue it poses safety risks and undermines competitive fairness, while supporters, including Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, note the lack of evidence linking the play to injuries.
The Eagles have been the most successful team using the 'tush push,' achieving an 86% success rate over the past three years, which has fueled the broader debate over innovation versus tradition in the NFL.