The Philadelphia Eagles’ tush push — known as the “Brotherly Shove” among Birds fans — was the center of attention during the NFL’s annual league meeting earlier this week.
The Green Bay Packers proposed a rule to ban the highly effective play that accounted for just 0.28% of total plays in the NFL in 2024, according to ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler.
Despite receiving 16 votes from owners in favor of eliminating the tush push, the proposal fell short of the 24 votes needed among the 32 owners to pass. As a result, the proposal has been tabled.
Those advocating to ban the tush push cite player safety concerns, despite the lack of empirical data suggesting this play is more dangerous than any other football play.
Kahler reports that the Packers will likely revise the wording of the proposal to gain more owner support ahead of the next league meeting in May. However, one NFL general manager is revealing what he believes is the real motivation behind Green Bay’s push to ban the play.
NFL GM claims Green Bay Packers want to ban tush push after losing to Eagles twice in 2024
Philadelphia Eagles tush push
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
An NFL GM told ESPN’s Kahler that the true reason the Packers want to ban the Eagles’ tush push is because they lost to Philadelphia twice last season — including in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
“They’re hiding behind player safety,” the anonymous GM said, adding that the proposal “feels like sour grapes.”
According to ESPN, the Eagles have scored 27 touchdowns and recorded 92 first downs on the tush push over the last three seasons with Jalen Hurts under center. During last year’s Super Bowl run, the play accounted for 11 scores and 32 first downs.