On the eve of the Spring League Meeting, an alteration has been introduced to one of the most anticipated decisions on a potential rule change.
A revised proposal to ban the tush push play has been submitted by the Green Bay Packers, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported Monday, a day prior to the league meeting commencing in Minneapolis.
A discussion and potential vote on the fate of the tush push is expected this week after it was tabled during the Annual League Meeting on April 1.
In the updated proposal, pushing or pulling a runner "in any direction at any time" or lifting him to his feet would be banned, which offers a broader stance harkening back to the ruleset from the league's start through 2005, as noted by Pelissero. Therefore, if passed, the tush push would be banned along with any play in which a runner is pushed, pulled or lifted.
Conversations at the annual league meeting focused on reverting back to language that existed previously and the revision reflects that, Garafolo reported.
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The tush push, a play run with overwhelming success most often by the Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts, is a variation of the QB sneak. In short-yardage situations, Hurts, generally lining up with one foot forward and one back to get more of a push, lines up with two to three teammates behind him, who will often aid in pushing him forward from behind -- hence the tush push moniker or "Brotherly Shove," as it's also been known.
Other teams have tried the play, but none with the success rate of the Eagles.
Those looking to ban it have argued it's a dangerous play, though there's been no substantial date to support that. The revised proposal still reads that the reason behind the proposal is "player safety," along with "pace of play."
The Spring League Meeting takes place Tuesday and Wednesday.