Green Bay Packers failed in 2025’s offseason campaign to ban tush push plays due to failing to obtain 24 votes needed for change; therefore their proposal failed and play remains legal. Now in 2026’s offseason begins, Competition Committee co-chairman Rich McKay has confirmed no similar plans have been submitted this offseason.
McKay noted that no team had put forward any proposals to ban or modify tush push rules; furthermore, there have been no discussions in recent weeks amongst 32 teams or between committee meetings about changing any rule; no debate erupted last spring over this subject and in turn this summer was not revisited either by its member teams nor the Competition Committee itself.
While McKay acknowledged the possibility of future discussions by saying, “You never know,” the tone suggests there is less urgency surrounding the topic than before. Earlier this month, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent noted that the league continues to monitor the play but only discusses it lightly, highlighting the challenges officials face in officiating the run from the line judges’ perspective. Vincent emphasized the importance of consistency despite the difficulty in officiating the play.
Throughout the 2025 season, the Philadelphia Eagles frequently used the tush push at their home field. The play involves the quarterback taking the snap under center while teammates push him forward from behind. Critics have raised concerns about players jumping early before the snap and the controversies surrounding false starts and forward progress. Meanwhile, defenses have adapted and found ways to counter the play. Even Jalen Hurts admitted in November that the play was becoming increasingly difficult, following a costly fumble against the Chicago Bears.
Sources suggest that any measure to reconsider banning the play will likely be tabled for at least a year, given how emotionally charged the conversations were last offseason. Despite ongoing debates, many players prefer to keep the play legal. A recent player poll indicated strong opposition to banning the tush push.
With the retirement of Packers president Mark Murphy, who championed the ban previously, no other individual currently appears ready to carry the cause forward. For now, all 32 teams seem content to allow the tush push to remain part of the game.
Outlook on Rule Changes for the Upcoming Season
In the coming days, the NFL Competition Committee is scheduled to review potential rule changes for the 2026 season and beyond. Early indications suggest that major alterations are unlikely, as the committee sees the game to be in a solid position currently.
Committee chairman Rich McKay shared that this offseason is not expected to bring a surge of new proposals. Discussions at recent meetings have covered several important topics including aiding the runner (beyond the tush push), rules regarding catches, special teams’ play, and player disqualifications. Health and safety issues are planned for further attention in upcoming sessions, along with briefings on team-submitted rule proposals.
The ongoing debate over catch versus no-catch rules focused on aligning the rulebook with how plays appear both in real time and through slow-motion replay. As technology advances, it continues to influence how control and possession are defined within the league.
Special teams coaches met with the committee to address concussion risks on kickoff plays, underscoring the NFL’s commitment to player safety and its search for improved solutions. McKay mentioned that no active discussions are underway regarding replacing onside kicks with a fourth-and-15 alternative, though he acknowledged there may be conversations about it in the future.
The committee intends to revisit replay technology as well, to allow officials to flag plays for infractions missed during initial reviews of plays on the field.
While the NFL remains committed to finding new ways to enhance the game, major rule revisions do not appear likely as it enters its 2019-20 season.