PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — While the future of the “tush push” still hasn’t been decided, NFL owners approved expanding replay assist and revising overtime rules, a person with knowledge of the voting told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the league meetings were ongoing.
Regular-season overtime rules now will match the playoffs and both teams will have a chance to get a possession even if the offense scores a touchdown on the opening drive. The proposal was amended to make overtime 10 minutes, not 15 minutes.
Owners also approved a proposal from the NFL Competition Committee to allow replay assist to consult on-field officials to overrule objective calls such as facemask penalties, whether there was forcible contact to the head or neck area, horse-collar tackles or tripping if there was “clear and obvious” evidence that a foul didn’t occur. Replay would also be able to overturn a roughing the kicker or running into the kicker penalty if video replay showed the defender made contact with the ball.
Replay assist could only wipe out a foul if it was incorrectly called but it will not be used to throw a flag if a penalty wasn’t called.
Other changes being considered include making the dynamic kickoff rule permanent and overhauling the playoff format.
The competition committee has recommended sticking with the kickoff rule that was redesigned last year and tweaking it to move touchbacks to the 35-yard line in hopes of generating even more returns.
The Detroit Lions proposed that playoff seeding should be based on record instead of automatically placing division winners in the top four spots.
The hottest debate this week has centered on the safety of a play that’s helped the Philadelphia Eagles win one Super Bowl and reach another.
NFL owners were set to vote on Green Bay’s proposal to ban the play, though it’s possible the proposal is tabled until May.
Even though the league has said there haven’t been any injuries reported as a result of the “tush push,” the potential risk involved in Philadelphia’s version of the quarterback sneak has sparked intense discussions.
The Packers, who lost to the Eagles in a wild-card playoff game, also cited pace of a play as a reason to consider eliminating the play. Rams coach Sean McVay is against it but said Tuesday morning he’d be surprised if it gets banned this week. Los Angeles also lost to Philadelphia in the playoffs.
Bills coach Sean McDermott is leading the push to get rid of it even though Buffalo used it more than any team other than the Eagles.
It’ll take 24 of 32 votes to approve the ban.
“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 said at the league meetings on Monday. “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. ... I’m not a doctor. I’m not going to get too deep into that situation there, in terms of how much data, how much sample. I don’t think that’s really always the best way to go. There is other data out there that suggests when you’re in a posture like we’re talking about, that can lead to serious injury. I think being responsible and proactive in that regard is the right way to go.”
The Eagles began using the play in short-yardage situations in 2022. Two or three players line up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and push him forward. Several other teams, including the Bills, began using it but no team has matched Philadelphia’s success rate.
“Tough play to stop but then you’re listening to that and the medical side and you probably could go either way with it,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose team lost 40-22 to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. “But I would say if it’s putting a player in a bad position, then you probably have to do something about it. But if it’s not, it’s a heck of a play.”
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