The tush push, the signature quarterback sneak that the Philadelphia Eagles have mastered and leveraged for success—including in their Super Bowl-winning season—has once again become one of the hottest topics of the 2025 NFL offseason. As league officials, coaches, and general managers convene to discuss potential rule changes for the upcoming season, the controversial play is under fire, with some calling for it to be banned outright.
One of the loudest voices in the debate has been Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, who formally proposed outlawing the tush push altogether.
He is not alone—Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has also expressed strong opposition to the play, citing what he believes is a long-standing injury risk associated with the maneuver.
“There has always been an injury risk with that play,” McDermott stated, reinforcing concerns that the sheer amount of force and player contact involved could lead to increased injuries. Gutekunst, meanwhile, indicated that he was interested in examining the injury data before making a definitive case against the play.
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NFL Data Proves No Injuries Occurred on Tush Push Plays in 2024
However, on Wednesday, the NFL effectively shut down the injury argument. League executive Troy Vincent revealed that official data from the 2024 season showed zero reported injuries on tush push plays.
This revelation undermines one of the key arguments made by those pushing for a rule change. With no recorded injuries tied to the play, critics of the tush push may now struggle to justify banning what has become one of the most efficient offensive tactics in the league.
What’s Next for the Tush Push Debate?
Despite the lack of injury data to support their case, opponents of the play will likely continue lobbying for its removal. Many coaches and executives have complained that the tush push exploits a loophole in the rulebook, making it nearly unstoppable in short-yardage situations.
The Eagles, in particular, have executed it with surgical precision, using their elite offensive line and quarterback Jalen Hurts’ strength to convert fourth-and-short and goal-line situations at an unprecedented rate.
But with no evidence of heightened injury risk, the NFL would need to justify a ban on other grounds—such as competitive fairness or aesthetics—if they choose to outlaw the play.
For now, teams looking to neutralize the Eagles’ powerful sneak will have to find another strategy, because the data suggests the tush push isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
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