The "Tush Push" Stays in Play: NFL Owners Decide
In a move that's sure to keep fans talking, NFL owners have decided to keep the "Tush Push" alive and well for the 2026 season. This controversial play, known for its rugby-style scrum, won't be facing any bans after the league meetings in Arizona. Despite its previous dominance, recent adjustments by defenses have cooled the debate surrounding it.
The Desert's Changing Winds
For two years, the "Brotherly Shove" was at the heart of heated discussions. Some saw it as an eyesore, while others admired its display of raw power. But with this year's rules agenda focusing more on kickoffs and replay tweaks, the push to ban the play has lost momentum.
The numbers tell the story. Back in 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles were converting this play at an impressive 80% rate.
Fast forward to the end of 2025, and that rate dropped to around 64%, largely due to injuries on their offensive line, including All-Pro Lane Johnson. Defenses learned to adapt, proving that even the "unstoppable" can be stopped.
Success Rates:
- 2024: 80% (League High)
- 2025: 68% (Eagles Average)
- 2025 League Total: 112 attempts (Up from 101 in 2024)
Rich McKay, Co-Chair of the NFL Competition Committee, noted, “There is less talk about it in the football community right now. No team offered a formal proposal to ban it this year. The game is in a good place, and the data doesn’t support a safety mandate.”
A Strategic Evolution
While the Eagles may have pioneered the shove, other teams have caught on. In 2025, the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks became notable adopters, with Seattle's AJ Barner even taking direct snaps to execute the play. As more teams found success, the argument that it was an Eagles-only advantage began to fade.
At the Arizona Biltmore, the once-tense atmosphere around this topic was noticeably absent. Last year, the Green Bay Packers led a charge to ban the play, missing by just two votes.
This year, they stayed silent, as attention shifted to other issues like replacement officials and nuances in "intentional grounding." For quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen, the green light remains.
Short yardage plays still favor those willing to take the risk.