• Loading stock data...
Thursday, June 26, 2025

NFL Tush Push Vote Has Been Pushed

Owners spent a busy morning discussing a variety of on-field rules issues, but a decision on the most controversial topic has been delayed. 

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

PALM BEACH, Fla. — A potential ban on the National Football League’s much-debated Tush Push has been pushed. 

Team owners tabled a Tuesday morning vote to ban the play, with work to continue around language for the proposed measure. The accentuated quarterback sneak, likened by some as more akin to a rugby play, was among the foremost topics up for a vote at this week’s NFL annual meeting. The Packers initially sought the ban, citing player health and safety concerns. League data, however, showed no injuries last year stemming from Tush Push plays. The issue could be revisited at May’s league meetings in Minnesota.

Before the vote, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni admitted to some lobbying to defeat the Packers’ proposal. Philadelphia perfected the use of the Tush Push last year en route to its dominant Super Bowl LIX victory. 

“Have I been lobbying? I’ve talked to a couple of people, yeah,” Sirianni said. “My opinion is very well documented.”

According to league sources, exactly half the league—16 teams—did not support the ban, leaving support for the Packers’ proposal well short of the 24 teams needed for passage. 

Rich McKay, Falcons CEO and co-chair of the NFL competition committee, said the Tush Push was the topic of more than 30 minutes of discussion among the owners Tuesday, ranging broadly from injury concerns to a sense of fairness between offensive and defensive play. A perceived targeting of the Eagles and Bills, by far the two most successful operators of the Tush Push, also emerged.

“You never like any discussion in any room being projected toward a team or two,” McKay said. “It’s never something we like doing.”

The Packers are now expected to revise the wording and framing of their proposed ban.

Among other votes taken Tuesday:

  • Approval of new kickoff rules that will spot a touchback at the receiving team’s own 35-yard line, up from the 30-yard line. 
  • A change in onside kick rules, however, that would allow trailing teams to attempt the play at any time did not pass. It will remain limited to the fourth quarter, and the topic will be revisited in May.
  • Regular-season overtime periods will remain at 10 minutes, but each team is now guaranteed at least one offensive possession—even if the receiving team scores a touchdown. 
  • An elimination of automatic first downs for defensive holding penalties, proposed by the Lions, did not pass. 
  • Owners also tabled a proposal by the Lions to seed playoff teams strictly on regular-season records, which would no longer guarantee a home game for division winners.

The kickoff rule change is potentially the most impactful on the list. The new measure, combined with a permanent approval of dynamic kickoff rules, is expected to reduce player injury rates, while actively discouraging kick teams from simply booting the ball into the end zone. NFL executives, eager to restore the kickoff as a significant component of league play, expect return rates to more than double to nearly 70% because of the change. 

“[We] see this going up substantially because of that yardage difference,” McKay said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

Cooper Flagg Goes No. 1 to Dallas, Capping Mavs’ Rapid Rebuild

The expected selection extends a wild turn of events for Dallas. 

Amazon NASCAR Ratings Down 17%, but Skew Younger

Prime Video averaged 2.16 million per race during its five-event stretch.
Jun 20, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Detailed view of Nike Alphafly 3 racing flat at the Nike by Eugene store.

Investors Hunt for Signs Nike Has Regained Its Footing

Nike’s fundamentals are “still challenged.”

MLB’s Bold Bristol Plan: Inside the Renovation and Potential Records

Work accelerates to convert the massive motorsports venue for baseball.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

Bold Trades Shake Up NBA Draft After Predictable Start

A flurry of trades and falling draft positions lead the post-Flagg activity.
Soccer
June 25, 2025

Club World Cup Headed for Major Test in Knockout Round

The knockout round will test FIFA’s hypothesis for the new tournament.
Oct 20, 2023; Doral, Florida, USA; James Piot plays his shot from the eighth tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.
June 25, 2025

From LIV to PGA Tour: James Piot Shows Path Back From Rival..

A former LIV Golf player is competing at this week’s Detroit event.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Jun 22, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament.
June 24, 2025

PGA Tour’s $20M Signature Events Finish 2025 Season Up in TV Ratings

The Travelers Championship was the last of eight elevated events this year.
Jun 23, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Al Ahly's Mohamed Hany reacts after the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
June 24, 2025

Heat Wave Across the U.S. Impacting Major Sports

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it’s been almost impossible to train.
Sabrina Ionescu with the New York Liberty shots over defenders from the Toyota Antelopes during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena May 12, 2025 in Eugene.
June 24, 2025

How Preseason Games Have Become a Key Revenue Stream for WNBA Teams

The WNBA’s preseason featured four games played on college campuses.
June 23, 2025

NBA Offseason: Draft Drama, Free Agency, and a Critical Owners Meeting

The 2025 NBA draft will be on June 25 and 26.