The NFL is expected to officially vote on banning the Philadelphia Eagles’ signature quarterback sneak, known as the Tush Push, during the league meetings scheduled for May 20–21. If passed, the play will no longer be legal in the 2025 season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles are already preparing for the play’s removal. He stated that he has seen no evidence to suggest it will remain legal.
The Tush Push is a version of the quarterback sneak. The quarterback lines up under center and is pushed forward by teammates after the snap to gain short yardage. The Eagles have used this play more effectively than any other team. It became a regular part of their offense after Jalen Hurts became the starting quarterback. With his strength and low center of gravity, plus a strong offensive line, the play has worked in most short-yardage situations.
The play’s success has led to frustration among other teams. While several have tried to copy it, none have matched the Eagles’ execution. Instead of finding a way to defend it, many around the league have supported banning it altogether. Although critics claim the play is unsafe, league data shows no injury history tied directly to the Tush Push. The argument has now shifted away from safety toward how the play looks.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the play resembles rugby more than football. His comments appear to have influenced the league’s direction. Once the league began to question whether the Tush Push fits the image of football, the end of the play became more likely. The proposal to ban the play was submitted by the Green Bay Packers, but several reports suggest they acted on behalf of league officials. The Competition Committee, led by Falcons CEO Rich McKay, has also supported the change.
The rule permitting players to push the quarterback was added in 2006. It has been legal for nearly two decades. The Eagles didn’t invent the play, but they have used it more efficiently than anyone. Still, it is expected that 24 teams will vote in favor of the ban—enough to make the change official.
If the ban passes, teams will need to develop new ways to convert on third-and-short or fourth-and-short. For the Eagles, this will remove one of their most reliable tools. However, the team still has a strong offense led by Hurts and an elite offensive line. Even without the Tush Push, the Eagles are built to succeed.
On the same day that the news about the potential ban gained attention, the Dallas Cowboys made headlines of their own. They traded for wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickens was drafted in the second round in 2022 after winning a national title with Georgia. He became the Steelers’ top receiver in his second season, finishing with 63 catches, 1,140 yards, and an NFL-best 20.1 yards per catch.
In 2023, Pickens had 59 catches for 900 yards and three touchdowns. He also dealt with a hamstring injury and faced disciplinary issues. His fines from the Steelers and the NFL totaled more than $200,000. These included penalties for on-field behavior and posts on social media. Rather than extend his contract beyond 2025, the Steelers chose to trade him. The Cowboys sent Pittsburgh a third-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2027. Dallas also received a seventh-round pick in 2027.
With Pickens now paired with CeeDee Lamb, Dallas has a new receiving duo that may rival the Eagles’ A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Since Brown arrived in a 2022 trade from the Titans, he and Smith have combined for 505 catches, 7,126 yards, and 47 touchdowns in 93 games. Lamb and Pickens, in that same stretch, have posted 517 catches, 7,143 yards, and 39 touchdowns in 97 games.
However, when tight ends are included, the Eagles still hold the edge. Shortly after the Cowboys’ trade, the Eagles announced that Dallas Goedert had restructured his contract. His 2025 salary dropped from $14 million to $10 million, ensuring his return to the team. Since 2022, Goedert, Brown, and Smith have combined for 661 receptions, 8,911 yards, and 53 touchdowns over 129 games. On the other side, Lamb, Pickens, and tight end Jake Ferguson have totaled 666 receptions, 8,572 yards, and 46 touchdowns in 130 games.
While the Cowboys improved their offense with Pickens, the Eagles kept their trio intact. Goedert is a reliable pass catcher and also one of the league’s best run-blocking tight ends. His presence adds value beyond the passing game. During his contract talks, the Eagles added depth at tight end by signing Kylen Granson and Harrison Bryant. Granson, a 2021 fourth-round pick from the Colts, had back-to-back 300-yard seasons and has started 17 games. Bryant has made 33 starts during his time with the Browns and Raiders.
