The NFL annual owners meetings are underway, and there’s already one topic dominating the conversation. That would be the “tush push.” The play — which was popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles — could be banned by the league after a vote Tuesday.
With that vote just around the corner, multiple coaches gave their thoughts on a possible ban. While most coaches hinted at the way they were leaning, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott gave the strongest quote against the now controversial play, saying he wants to be “proactive” on banning the move to prevent player injuries.
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That was a popular refrain from coaches Monday. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made similar comments when discussing the play. Tomlin said he was considering the “player safety component” of the play, but added that he’s keeping an open mind ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Reid said he would listen “to the medical people.”
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he supported the proposal to ban the tush push. Gutekunst also cited player safety as a reason for supporting the ban. The Packers introduced the proposal, though Gutekunst said he did not play a big role in drafting it.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans took a different approach. Ryans seemed opposed to a ban, saying it was “tough to punish a team for being really good at something.” Glenn, who served as the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator last season, said that the job of a defensive-minded coach is to figure out a way to stop a play like the tush push.
