NFL reportedly pushed Packers to front Eagles’ tush push ban, become the fall guy

The Green Bay Packers’ attempt to outlaw the NFL’s most polarizing short-yardage play wasn’t quite what it seemed.

While the proposal to ban the “tush push” — made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles — appeared to be led by Green Bay, a new report suggests the Packers weren’t acting entirely on their own. In fact, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the league office may have nudged the organization into taking up the cause.

“The league asked the Packers to do it. And the Packers took one for the team,” PFT reported, citing a league source. “Most in the Green Bay organization don’t care about the play, either way.”

The proposal to ban the quarterback push — which involves players shoving the quarterback from behind to gain short yardage, typically on third or fourth and short — ultimately failed. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the final tally was 22-10 in favor of the ban, just two votes shy of the 24 needed to pass.

That final score didn’t go unnoticed.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport pointed out the numerical irony, noting that it was the same as the score in the Eagles’ playoff win over the Packers earlier this year. “Philly hangs on,” Rapoport wrote, referencing both outcomes.

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Despite not being the true instigators, the Packers now wear the label of being the team that tried — and failed — to take away Philadelphia’s trademark play. And the Eagles wasted no time rubbing it in. Shortly after the news broke, the team posted a 26-minute YouTube video showcasing nothing but tush push plays, a subtle-but-pointed response to the failed vote.

Critics had long questioned why Green Bay, of all teams, led the charge. As PFT noted, the Packers’ involvement “reeked of sour grapes,” considering they lost to the Eagles twice last season. A more logical choice might have been a team from the AFC — one not directly affected by the Eagles' usage of the play — but the league opted otherwise.

Now, the focus shifts back to the field. In a twist of perfect scheduling, the Packers will get another shot at the Eagles when they host them in Week 10 on Monday Night Football. With the tush push still firmly intact and emotions still simmering, that prime-time showdown may carry a little more edge than usual.