One of the biggest talking points at the 2025 NFL Owners Meeting was the Tush Push, after it was revealed that the Green Bay Packers had proposed banning the controversial play.
Although the motion was tabled, there’s growing momentum that the ban could eventually pass.
Speaking on their podcast “Scoop City,” former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel called the move to ban the play “soft” in a discussion with co-host Dianna Russini.
Dianna Russini Reveals Mixed Feelings on Banning the Tush Push
Russini and Daniel recently broke down the Tush Push debate after news emerged that NFL owners would vote on whether to eliminate the play. When asked why the league might want to outlaw it, Russini suggested it could be more about optics than safety.
“Roger Goodell does not like the play,” she revealed. “He thinks it’s ugly. He doesn’t think it’s a football play.”
While the Philadelphia Eagles are widely credited with perfecting the Tush Push, they aren’t the only team defending it. Russini cited Broncos head coach Sean Payton as one of the play’s supporters.
“Sean Payton stood up, he’s for the Tush Push,” she said. “He said, ‘There’s a better chance of us getting in a car wreck on the drive to the Linc [Lincoln Financial Field], than I believe it is for these players to be injured in the Tush Push.’”
Russini Believes the Play Will Be Banned
Despite Payton’s support, Russini believes a ban is coming.
“The fact that this was tabled tells me that they’re gonna ban the Tush Push,” she said. When Daniel asked whether the ban would be immediate, Russini didn’t hesitate.
“This year. They’re gonna find a way to get it out of football.”
She went on to list three main reasons teams might back a ban: “Some of them want to be in line with Roger Goodell. I think some believe it’s an ugly play. And I think, whether they’ll admit it or not — ‘If you can’t beat it, ban it.’”
Daniel couldn’t hide his disbelief. “That is so freakin’ soft, Dianna,” he said, falling back in his chair.
Russini’s response was blunt: “Jealousy, baby.”
The tush push is in trouble.
I get the sense the NFL will find a way to ban the play in 2025 ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/XTEwqbfeO2
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 4, 2025
A formal ban on the Tush Push would almost certainly spark outrage among fans and media, especially since more current and former players seem to support the play than oppose it.
Player safety remains the key argument for banning it, though there is currently no data suggesting it’s more dangerous than other goal-line formations.
Still, some believe that if the play continues and a player eventually suffers a serious injury, the backlash could be just as intense — or worse. With strong opinions on both sides and the Eagles using the play to dominate short-yardage situations, any final decision is bound to come with serious fallout.