Dolphins vote against Eagles' tush push ban as Mike McDaniel knows of NFL targeting offenses

The Miami Dolphins don’t face the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, but they still aligned with them in one of the NFL’s most controversial rule debates.

During the spring league meetings in Minneapolis, the NFL held a vote on whether to ban the quarterback push play known as the “tush push,” a short-yardage tactic popularized by the Eagles and frequently criticized for its physicality and perceived competitive imbalance. The measure needed 24 votes to pass. It got 22.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins were one of 10 teams that voted against the proposed ban.

The other teams on that list: the Eagles, Ravens, Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Patriots, Saints, Jets and Titans.

The NFL had been discussing the play’s future for months, with the Green Bay Packers leading the formal proposal to outlaw it. But as Pro Football Talk reported, the push may have originated from the league office itself, which allegedly encouraged the Packers to front the ban publicly even though Green Bay reportedly had little personal stake in the outcome.

As for the Dolphins, their inclusion among the teams opposing the ban signals a quiet but clear message. They're not looking to eliminate a play that still has strategic value across the league, even if they aren’t using it at the same frequency as Philadelphia.

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While some coaches have questioned the safety and aesthetics of the quarterback push — which typically involves teammates shoving the quarterback from behind on short-yardage sneaks — others see it as a legitimate and creative extension of the run game.

Miami’s coaching staff hasn’t publicly commented on the vote, but the decision to back the Eagles’ position could reflect a broader philosophical stance: if it works, and it's legal, why get rid of it?

With the tush push staying intact for the 2025 season, teams like the Eagles will continue to lean on it in key short-yardage situations. As for the Dolphins, they’ve shown they’re well aware of how to navigate rule shifts. 

Head coach Mike McDaniel has already dealt with rulebook scrutiny, especially after the NFL added language targeting Miami’s use of pre-snap “cheat motion.” Backed by a front office deeply involved in competition committee discussions, McDaniel and the Dolphins weren’t about to vote against a play they may or may not rely on — but clearly respect the value of.

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