NFL’s “Tush Push” Explained: The Sneak Play They Almost Banned

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The “Tush Push” is a specialized version of the quarterback sneak in which two or three offensive teammates line up directly behind the quarterback at the snap and shove him forward through the line of scrimmage. Rather than relying solely on the quarterback’s surge behind his blockers, this “Brotherly Shove” adds collective momentum that often makes it nearly unstoppable in third-and-short or goal-line situations. Originating with the Philadelphia Eagles, it quickly became their trademark short-yardage weapon for Jalen Hurts and has since spread to contenders across the league.

Despite its simplicity, the play’s results are staggering. Since 2022, the Eagles and Buffalo Bills have executed the Tush Push 183 times and converted 87 percent of those attempts into first downs or touchdowns, far outpacing the rest of the NFL, which converts similar quarterback sneaks at just a 71 percent clip. This efficiency has altered how teams defend the one-yard line and reshaped play-calling in critical short-yardage moments.

Critics argue the Tush Push undermines the spirit of individual skill and introduces new safety risks. Teams voting against banning it in 2025 frequently cited concerns over linemen bearing repeated high-impact shoves without clear evidence of long-term effects. Packers president Mark Murphy dubbed the tactic “bad for the game,” saying it removes the necessity for high-precision execution. Proponents counter that it remains fully compliant with current rules and still demands perfect timing, coordination, and physical strength to succeed.

In May 2025, NFL owners narrowly rejected a proposal to outlaw the play, needing 24 “yes” votes but falling two short with only 22 in favor of a ban. Instead of elimination, the league imposed a modification: any player designated as a “pusher” must now line up one yard behind the quarterback before the snap, preventing an instantaneous shove and potentially reducing its raw power. This tweak aims to balance competitive fairness with preserving a popular, rule-legal tactic.

With the play surviving another season, it’s poised to remain a focal point of short-yardage strategy. Teams will study how the one-yard-back alignment affects success rates and may innovate countermeasures or alternative formations. Given the margin by which the ban fell, expect the debate to resurface at next year’s meetings, as franchises weigh whether the Tush Push’s competitive edge outweighs calls for stricter regulation in the ever-evolving chess match of NFL strategy.