We’ve placed the casket, and the flowers are coming soon. Once again, the NFL is buzzing with debates over one of its most controversial plays. Love it or hate it, this short-yardage tactic has become a hot topic at recent league meetings. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent comments suggest big changes could be on the horizon. But why is this play under such scrutiny? And what role did the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl dominance play in adding fuel to smoldering flames?

The “Tush Push” is a QB sneak where teammates physically shove their QB forward and gain ground. It’s been a game-changer ever since the Eagles started using it way back in 2022. It’s simple, yet effective. However, Roger Goodell doubts its fairness and safety. During a press conference on April 1st, 2025, at the annual league meeting, he said, “the discussion on the Tush Push was very good – there are safety issues that are being considered in that case.” The data on the injuries caused by the play is scarce. But Goodell emphasized that concerns go “beyond data,” pointing to the sheer force involved in these pileups as a potential cause for concern.

The play itself has divided team owners. They tabled a vote to ban it after a 16-16 split, lacking the 24 votes needed. The Green Bay Packers spearheaded the proposal, but Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie fired back. He argued there’s no evidence of increased injuries from the play, “If it weren’t safe, we wouldn’t be running it,” Laurie said.

A lot of coaches are speaking up about the Tush Push. Packers HC Matt LeFleur says, “I don’t think it’s a great football play. It’s more of a rugby play”. He is all for doing away with the play. On the other hand, Patriots HC Mike Vrabel is happy with maintaining the status quo. “There’s a lot of plays that are hard to defence, and I don’t think that you can get rid of them every time that you have a tough time stopping it.”

Adding fuel to the fire, a recent tweet from Scoop City posted by The Athletic highlights an interesting twist. NFL insider Dianna Russini, along with NFL veteran Chase Daniel, discussed, “Roger Goodell does not like the play. He thinks it’s ugly. He doesn’t think it’s a football play.” Dianne further added, “The fact that this was tabled tells me that they’re going to ban the Tush Push. – This year, they’re going to find a way to get it out of football. – Why? Some of them want to be in line with Roger Goodell. I think some believe it’s an ugly play. And I think whether or not they’ll admit it or not, if you can’t beat it, ban it.”

In the press conference, Roger also hinted at broader changes. He suggested a return to pre-2024 rules that prohibited pushing and puzzling players altogether. This would impact not just the “Tush Push”, but a lot of other plays. “There are a lot of plays where you see someone pulling or pushing somebody that are not in the tush push formation that I think do have an increased risk of injury, and so I think the committee will look at that and come back in May with some proposals.” While Roger Goodell may say there are other plays the league is looking at, it’s common knowledge that he has been trying to get the Tush Push banned since 2023. The Tush Push has always attracted many sideways glances. But ever since the Eagles lifted the Lombardi trophy at Super Bowl LIX, this scrutiny has increased tenfold.

Well, the flowers have arrived, and the nails are all in place. Will the hammer finally fall in May?

Eagles’ flight is at risk

Let’s be real here, folks. The Eagles didn’t just use the “Tush Push”; they perfected it. With Jalen Hurts squatting 600 pounds and an offensive line stacked with giants like Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson, Philly turned this rugby-style play into an art form. Their success rate? A jaw-dropping 39 out of 48 attempts last season, including the playoffs. No wonder defences couldn’t crack the code and are pushing for a ban with Roger Goodell. It’s like putting the Wright brothers on the no-fly list after they invented the airplane.

In the 2024 season, the Eagles have used the “Tush Push” 39 times, successfully converting 81% of those attempts. The Eagles have relied heavily on this tactic. But here’s where things get rather sticky. With their spectacular Super Bowl win against the Kansas City Chiefs, the champs are now under tremendous pressure. The Eagles’ mastery of the “Tush Push” has fueled arguments that the play gives them an unfair advantage. Teams like the Bills have tried to replicate it but haven’t come close to matching Philly’s efficiency. Critics argue that Philly’s dominance is forcing other teams into a corner. But Nick Sirianni, Eagles’ HC, isn’t apologizing for his team’s innovation, “I almost feel a little insulted because we work so hard at that play.”

Following Roger Goodell’s comments, if the NFL pulls the plug on the “Tush Push”, we can expect a butterfly effect across offenses league-wide. Teams will need to rethink their approach to short-yardage plays. For Philly, this might require a complete overhaul of their offensive approach; a significant challenge for a team defined by close-quarters dominance. Beyond gameplay, banning this tactic might also reshape drafting strategies. The Eagles might prioritize bolstering their offensive line even further or explore new ways to protect their QB in tough situations.

For now, the Eagles get to keep running their signature move – at least till May, when the league meets again. Whether you’re rooting for innovation or hoping for more balance across teams, one thing’s certain: The fate of football’s most polarizing play will shape how we think about strategy and fairness this coming season. Stay tuned, folks – it’s going to be a wild ride.