Teams typically use the tush push to convert short-yardage situations. It is an ideal play call when only about a yard or two are needed. A variation of the traditional quarterback sneak, the play involves the quarterback taking the snap and immediately driving forward with the help of teammates pushing from behind. The entire offensive line surges ahead in unison. It is chaotic, powerful, and violent, resembling a massive brawl.
Fans love the dogfight for every inch of turf while officials struggle to locate the ball under the pile of bodies. Entertaining to watch, a nightmare to officiate, and despised by defenses - that is the iconic yet controversial tush push.
The Bills ran the play to perfection in the critical moment of the game. Many fans and experts called it the greatest tush push of all time. Buffalo not only got the inches needed for another first down – they gained 10 yards on the play. The offensive line quite literally dragged Josh Allen almost all the way to the end zone.
They scored a touchdown on the next play, then intercepted a pass from Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars were under pressure and tried to quickly advance down the field into kicking distance. Game over, 27-24 Bills.
'Should be illegal'
If a team has the proper know-how, the tush push is overwhelmingly effective - and that is the problem. Teams that don’t run it often want it banned because, when forced to defend it, they know their chances of stopping it are slim.
“There's just no other play in our game where you can absolutely get behind somebody and push them,” said former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. “I never really understood why that was legal.”
The league nearly banned the tush push during the 2025 offseason. At least 24 of the NFL’s 32 teams must approve a rule change, but only 22 voted to eliminate the play, falling two votes short. As a result, teams continued using it this season, and it once again played a pivotal role in a postseason victory.
Critics argue the strategy is unfair, low-skill, difficult to officiate, and potentially unsafe due to the risk of head and neck injuries. Some even claim it should already be illegal.
“I very much hope the NFL Competition Committee addresses this in the offseason. This just cannot be a legal play anymore. Now, only pulling a runner is illegal. All pushing, pulling, or lifting a runner by a teammate should be illegal,” said former NFL referee Terry McAulay.
According to many offensive specialists, the play is not about skills and precision; it is about strength and force. But why should teams be punished for having physically dominant players who have mastered the technique?
'Ugly play'
Many coaches and analysts don’t view the tush push as a true football play at all.
“I think it's just an ugly play,” said FOX NFL Sunday host Curt Menefee. “It's a non-football play. Hopefully, nobody gets hurt doing it. I don't like it in a game - but as long as it's legal, you can't blame the Eagles or anybody for using it.”
The Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions, became notorious for using the tush push consistently over the last four seasons. They boast an astonishing 91.3% success rate over 92 total attempts.
If it is so easy, why isn’t everybody doing it? It comes down to the basic but key concept of the play - formidable force. Teams need an exceptionally fit and strong offensive line and a quarterback able to out-push and out-last the opponent’s defense.
Teams also must learn the skill aspect of the play, but many do not want to risk injuries while practicing the call. Eagles mastered it to a peak level; one so high it raised eyebrows. It resulted in the league’s first attempt trying to ban it.
As controversy surrounding the tush push grows, so do calls for another vote. Currently, only two teams - the Eagles and the Bills - use it consistently, and it works for both. The rest of the league simply haven't cracked the code to effectively implement the play just yet.
Banning the tush push would satisfy teams that struggle to defend or master it, but it would also raise difficult questions about where innovation ends and regulation begins.
The NFL has long celebrated physicality, strategy, and adaptation. While concerns about safety and officiating deserve consideration, eliminating a legal and effective play simply because it works too well is troubling.
If the NFL does decide to ban the tush push, it should be because the play violates the rules or presents a proven safety risk - not because it favours physically dominant teams