The most-likely and least-likely teams to try and ban the Tush Push

Who is out there wanting this play banned?

The NFL’s most controversial play is back on the gripe menu. An unnamed team has proposed that the Eagles most-dangerous short-yardage plan be banned, which will put it to an owner vote.

At its core the Tush Push is very simple: The Eagles have their tight end and running back line up behind QB Jalen Hurts and physically push him through the defensive line when the ball is snapped. It’s a play that numerous teams have tried to replicate, but nobody has been able to pull it off like Philadelphia has. The reason it works for well for the Eagles is that Hurts is the perfect short-yardage sneak quarterback who is smart enough to identify gaps, and small enough to squeeze through them. Also the entire play is predicated on the idea that the offensive line can win at the point of scrimmage to such a large degree that there’s no way for defenses to get into the backfield to stop them.

There are plenty of arguments over whether or not the Tush Push is “fair,” or “real football” — but it’s generally been accepted in NFL circles that it’s viable and everyone can at least attempt it. That was, until now. Someone has turned narc and had enough of the Tush Push, and we’re going to break down which teams are the most, and least likely to make the call.

Most likely to be complaining

Washington Commanders

While other teams have a reason to see the Tush Push go the way of the dodo — not the incredible site our colleagues run as we love Dodo Dream Date but the actual creature itself — the Washington Commanders top the list.

First off, let’s think back a few weeks to the NFC Championship Game. Not only did the Commanders take several penalties in a row in an ill-fated attempt at stopping the Tush Push, but they were warned by officials that A TOUCHDOWN WOULD BE AWARDED IF THEY CONTINUED. That warning sent everyone racing to the NFL Rulebook, and gave Washington one big reason to see the play stripped from the league.

But they have another reason.

Jayden Daniels.

Simply put, the Commanders are on the way up. They advanced to the NFC Championship Game in Daniels’ rookie season, and enter the 2025 offseason with the third-most cap space in the league. They have a massive opportunity in front of them to build around Daniels and contend for years.

If they don’t have to see the Tush Push along the way, that is even better for them.

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones will do something, anything to deflect attention away from his own mess of an organization. If there’s a perceived imbalance, particularly in the NFC East, he’s going to try to lean on the league to do something about it.

Also, Jerry isn’t quiet about stuff like this. If it’s making its way public already then there’s a good chance he’s involved in it. That’s just the way the man operates. He knows there’s no functional way the Cowboys could ever run the Tush Push with their bruised offensive line, Zach Martin retiring, and Dak Prescott not being the kind of QB you want to run up the middle — so he’d definitely complain about it.

Kansas City Chiefs

Sour grapes makes for a lot of whine. There are few teams who have struggled to stop the Tush Push on the brightest stage like the Chiefs have, and that means they could absolutely be the team asking the league to ban the play.

Patrick Mahomes is never, ever being risked on a short yardage run like this, meaning there is no advantage to keep it in the NFL. If the Chiefs feel the only blockage to their dynasty is the Eagles using a questionable play then they’ll fight to have it removed from the game. It’s only natural.

NFL teams least likely to want the Tush Push banned

Philadelphia Eagles

Well, unless they feel like making life harder on themselves ...

Carolina Panthers

Have you seen what the Panthers have been investing in? This is a team with a whole lot of beef at guard and center, and a small, elusive quarterback in Bryce Young who was custom built to be tush pushed.

The Panthers have no qualms about calling Young’s number to have him run it in, as seen by his five rushing touchdowns in 2024. This team is ready to add the Tush Push to its repertoire if needed, and that makes them very likely to want to keep the play in the NFL.

Las Vegas Raiders

Pete Carroll is back in the NFL, taking over as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

But back in 2023 Carroll was one of the few head coaches outside of Philadelphia who praised the Eagles for the Tush Push. Speaking at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Carroll had this to say about the concept:

“I didn’t understand or didn’t realize how far they had gone with their commitment in terms of it looking like a rugby play in a scrum,” Carroll told reporters via Stephen Holder. “That was an evolutionary opportunity for the league. I thought it was an exciting part of the game, but other people might think that it’s such a departure from what we’ve done in the past that we can’t go with that. We can’t do that. I don’t think like that. I think it could be a really cool thing.”

Consider the Raiders far down the list.