After initial reports suggested that the Tush Push era in the National Football League might come to an end this week, the proposal to ban the controversial play did not receive the necessary votes during Wednesday’s Spring League Meeting.
While teams like the Philadelphia Eagles will celebrate this news, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is unlikely to get many Tush Push opportunities this season.
Try out Pro Football & Sports Network’s FREE playoff predictor, where you can simulate every 2025-26 NFL season game and see how it all shakes out!
Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson Comments on Controversial Tush Push
When asked about the biggest NFL news of the day, first-year Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson told reporters, “I’m not a big tush push guy myself.”
Along with sharing his excitement about changing the narrative around the Bears franchise, the former Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator also made his feelings known about the Tush Push.
“Does it become an explosive play ever? Have you seen a Tush Push become an explosive play?” Johnson asked reporters in attendance.
#Bears HC Ben Johnson on the tush-push staying: “Have you ever seen a tush-push become an explosive play? I like explosive plays. I like big plays. So, I’m not a big tush push guy myself.”pic.twitter.com/2TODmsB41C
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 21, 2025
When told it could result in a first-down or a touchdown, Johnson remained unconvinced, saying, “Ehh. I like explosive plays. I like big plays. I’m not a big tush-push guy myself.”
Johnson’s comments highlight how polarizing the Tush Push has become across all levels of football. Regardless of one’s stance, everyone in football has an opinion on the controversial quarterback sneak.
Tush Push Ban Fails During Wednesday’s Spring League Meeting
After originally planning to vote on the Green Bay Packers’ proposal in April, NFL owners tabled the discussion until this week.
That gave the Packers enough time to revise their rule proposal before Wednesday’s vote, adding language that would “more broadly ban pushing or pulling the ball carrier anywhere on the field.”
The updated proposal added that “Offensive players cannot assist the runner except by individually blocking opponents for him,” while the Packers also removed the phrase “immediately at the snap” in the updated language.
This revision was expected to get the Packers’ proposal over the hump, but they were still unable to sway enough NFL owners. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “the final vote was 22-10 on the proposal. The proposal needed 24 votes to pass.”
The Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans voted against the proposal.
NFL needed 24 votes today to ban the Tush Push, but got only 22. Here are the 10 teams that voted against the Tush Push ban, per sources:
🏈Eagles
🏈Ravens
🏈Browns
🏈Lions
🏈Jaguars
🏈Dolphins
🏈Patriots
🏈Saints
🏈Jets
🏈Titans— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2025
The Tush Push may survive another year, but it is only a matter of time before it gets banned or drastically altered by the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly wants the play eliminated from the game, and he usually gets what he wants. He simply needs to sway two more NFL owners.