“That’s tough to defend”: Mike Vrabel shares honest thoughts on NFL’s potential tush push ban ahead of crucial league vote | NFL News

The much-debated “tush push”—a quarterback sneak variation mastered by the Philadelphia Eagles—has sparked intense discussions ahead of the NFL owners’ vote on Tuesday. With all 32 team owners set to cast their votes, the Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the play has become one of the most polarizing topics in the league.

Mike Vrabel joins the conversation as the NFL considers banning the tush push

At the heart of the controversy is the debate over whether the play is an unfair advantage or simply a tactical innovation. New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel did not hold back in criticizing the potential ban, questioning where the league should draw the line when it comes to difficult-to-defend plays.
“There’s a lot of plays that you have to defend, whether that’s quarterback sneaks, whether that’s read zone—there’s a lot of plays that are hard to defend, and I don’t think that you can get rid of them every time that you have a tough time stopping it,” Vrabel remarked. “I mean, Lamar Jackson shouldn’t be able to run with the football anymore, how about making that rule? Like that’s tough to defend.”

Vrabel’s comments echo a sentiment shared by many who see the tush push as a product of strategic brilliance rather than a rule-breaking loophole. However, there is also a faction of the league that strongly supports the ban, citing concerns over player safety and the integrity of the game.
Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott, a vocal advocate for the ban, has stressed the importance of player safety. He highlighted the potential for injuries even in the absence of concrete data confirming significant harm.
“I feel where I’m most concerned is, even though there is not significant data out there to this point, my biggest concern is the health and safety of the players, first and foremost,” McDermott explained. “It’s two things. It’s force, added force, No. 1, and then the posture of the players, being asked to execute that type of play, that’s where my concern comes in.”
The league’s competition committee has been evaluating the play’s legality and potential risks. Although NFL executive Troy Vincent stated that no injuries have been reported from the play, concerns remain over its long-term impact. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, another competition committee member, admitted his initial surprise that the play was even allowed, drawing a parallel to past rule changes aimed at protecting players.
“I think the first time I saw it, I couldn’t believe that it was legal because it was illegal on the field goal,” Tomlin admitted. However, he also acknowledged the fine balance between innovation and fairness, stating, “You hate to be against it because when people are innovative, you want to respect that.”

A critical vote that could reshape the game

The proposed ban would require at least 24 of the 32 teams to vote in favor. If approved, it would mark a significant shift in offensive strategy, particularly for teams like the Eagles, who have perfected the technique.
Not all coaches are in favor of eliminating the play, though. Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski see the move as unnecessary. “It’s tough to punish a team for being really good at something,” Ryans argued.
Even Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who witnessed the play firsthand in the Super Bowl, expressed a cautious stance. “Tough play to stop but then you’re listening to that and the medical side and you probably could go either way with it,” Reid said. “But I would say if it’s putting a player in a bad position, then you probably have to do something about it.”

The future of the Tush Push

As the league meeting progresses, all eyes will be on the owners’ final decision. If the proposal is passed, it could force teams to rethink their short-yardage strategies entirely. However, if the tush push survives the vote, it will remain a staple for teams that can execute it with precision. Either way, the outcome will shape the NFL’s approach to innovation, safety, and fair competition for years to come.
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