Few plays in football have been more controversial recently than the quarterback sneak with extra help that has become known as the "tush push."
It's not in the NFL's nature to ban a play, especially one that hasn't drawn safety criticism, in fact when asked about the play at the NFL Scouting combine in Indy back in March, NFL VP of football operations Troy Vincent said, "Don't punish a team that strategically does it well. Their success rate, just amazing."
While they may not ban the play, what they are reportedly set to do is add language to a rule that can force NFL teams to adjust how they're executing the play.
According to PFT, that's what's happening with Rule 7, Section 5, Article 1, subsection (d) talking about position of offensive players at the snap.
"No player may take a position that is neither clearly on, nor clearly off the line of scrimmage, unless he is directly behind the snapper. Only one player may be in such a position, and he must wear an eligible number, unless he has reported in accordance with Rule 5, Section 3, Article 1.”
PFT shares that the league added that language at the encouragement of the referee group to clarify that only one player (the quarterback) is permitted to be in the area between the line of scrimmage and the backfield.
That would suggest that the league does not want multiple players lined up around the interior gaps to assist the quarterback's forward momentum after the snap.
The new language doesn't ban the push itself, only that if there is going to be a post-snap push, those that push would just have to be in a formation where they are in the backfield.
It also ensures that a lineman can't take the snap one play, and then return to the offensive line the next play. A lineman could take the snap, as long as he reports as an eligible player, but the rule states he must remain at an eligible spot until he exits the game for at least one play.
The "tush-push" will look different next season, but if the new offensive minds in the NFL now have shown us anything it's that they are constantly evolving and a new way will pop up.
The real question becomes, will it be as effective as the original version that many were pushing to ban?
While I admittedly have a very basic understanding of physics, it's hard to see the new variations being as successful with these new restrictions, but I'm looking forward to seeing what the league's top offensive minds like new Eagles OC Kellen Moore, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Rams head coach Sean McVay, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shannahan come up with.