Tush Push Not on NFL's Agenda for 2026, but Eagles' Sirianni Uncertain About the Future

The controversial offensive play that caused a stir last year is not being debated at this year's owners meetings, but the Eagles coach is cautious about predicting its long-term fate.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:57pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football player executing the Tush Push play, with the action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted earth tones and shades of green, blue, and brown, conveying the conceptual tension and uncertainty surrounding the play's future in the NFL.The NFL's debate over the controversial Tush Push play has quieted, but the future of the unique offensive maneuver remains uncertain.Phoenix Today

The Tush Push, a controversial offensive play that was a major point of contention at last year's NFL annual meeting, is not on the agenda for this year's owners meetings in Phoenix. Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, who has privately embraced the play, is publicly being guarded about predicting whether the Tush Push will face renewed scrutiny in the future.

Why it matters

The Tush Push, which involves an offensive lineman pushing the quarterback into the end zone, was nearly banned by the league last year after the Green Bay Packers proposed outlawing the play. However, the NFL's effort to get the play banned ultimately fell short, and its future remains uncertain.

The details

Last year, the NFL Competition Committee and even Commissioner Roger Goodell were against the Tush Push, citing health and safety concerns, but the proposal to ban it did not receive the necessary three-fourths majority vote from owners. This year, with some key opponents of the play no longer involved, the Tush Push is not being discussed at the owners meetings.

  • The NFL owners meetings began on Sunday, March 30, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Last year's NFL annual meeting was the site of terse exchanges over the Tush Push.

The players

Nick Sirianni

The head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, who has privately embraced the Tush Push play but is publicly cautious about predicting its future.

Rich McKay

The co-chairman of the NFL Competition Committee, who has stated that the Tush Push is being used less frequently and has a lower success rate than traditional quarterback sneaks.

Roger Goodell

The NFL Commissioner, who has expressed health and safety concerns about the Tush Push play despite a lack of data to support those concerns.

Mark Murphy

The former president of the Green Bay Packers, who had spearheaded the effort to get the Tush Push banned last year but has since retired.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was an ardent opponent of the Tush Push and had his team vote to ban the play.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know, you take one step at a time. It's not something I have to think about right now. So, I guess I don't really have a lot of thoughts on that. We'll play by the rules of whatever we need to be able to do in every aspect.”

— Nick Sirianni, Head Coach, Philadelphia Eagles

“I don't know that it's the end of the debate, because I think there's still people that are concerned with the whole pushing element. But I would say to you that, just like last year I told you – there was no Competition Committee proposal last year on the Tush Push, there was no proposal the year before on that.”

— Rich McKay, Co-Chairman, NFL Competition Committee

What’s next

The NFL will continue to monitor the use and impact of the Tush Push play, but there are no immediate plans to address it at future owners meetings.

The takeaway

The Tush Push controversy has quieted down for now, but the play's future remains uncertain as the league and some teams continue to have concerns about the pushing element. The Eagles' success with the play has diminished, reducing the motivation for other NFC teams to push for a ban.