The arguable short-yardage “tush push” is drafting vigor again, yet it is improbable to vanish this season—or adjacent beryllium formally debated this offseason. League sources told ESPN determination are nary assurances the taxable volition scope the docket for treatment oregon a vote. After past spring’s tense debate, 1 root said the contented “needs to beryllium tabled for a year” earlier it comes back.
There is besides a process problem. Former Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy authored past spring’s failed prohibition proposal, which drew 22 yes votes, 2 abbreviated of the 24 needed. He retired successful July astatine property 70, leaving immoderate caller effort without a sponsor. Another root said helium has seen “no movement” to enactment up a caller connection this aboriginal successful the year. Even if disapproval grows, a caller propulsion would request a caller author, much backing, and much votes.
Philadelphia pushes back
Scrutiny spiked aft Philadelphia utilized the play six times successful past Sunday’s triumph implicit Kansas City. The league told officials to telephone it “tight” going guardant and said astatine slightest 1 lawsuit should person drawn a false-start flag. The squad is unmoved. Left tackle Jordan Mailata blasted critics who usage the play “as an excuse to wherefore we won the game.” Center Cam Jurgens said the radical is “not trying to interest astir what different teams oregon radical are saying,” adding, “If the league wants to travel down and accidental thing and marque an accent with the rules, we’re going to instrumentality that into account. However, it’s the aforesaid happening going forward—playing [our] football.”
Safety arguments person not stuck. There is not capable wounded information to warrant a prohibition connected wellness grounds, and the team’s occurrence rate—96.6% connected fourth-and-1 since 2022—keeps reinforcing its value.
Retired halfway Jason Kelce thinks the tide volition turn: “I deliberation the play is done… there’s a batch of radical wrong the league, astatine aggregate levels, that privation the play to beryllium gone.” The Athletic reported momentum for a prohibition adjacent offseason. However, arsenic Lee Corso says, “Not truthful fast, my friends!” Frustration is rising, yet organized absorption is not there. Unless and until a caller connection emerges and clears the 24-vote bar, the play remains portion of the NFL playbook.