Quarterback Push Play

[Woodman]

Competition Committee begins to explore the quarterback push play - ProFootballTalk

Sixteen years after the NFL removed the rule against pushing a runner, some teams finally realized that it could become a strategic aspect of the offense.

Now, as the Competition Committee begins to ponder potential rule changes for 2023, the push play is on the docket.

Per multiple reports, NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent said that the Competition Committee already has discussed the play at length, and that the topic will be revisited in March.

The Eagles used it on multiple occasions during Super Bowl LVII. If executed properly, it’s unstoppable.

Before 2006, the rules prohibited pushing and pulling of the runner. Pushing, which happened spontaneously in the open field, was never called.

Now, it’s part of the play design. The NFL has to decide whether it wants to embrace a play that basically amounts to an inverted tug of war.

Broncos coach Sean Payton has said that, if the rule isn’t changed, he’ll embrace it on a regular basis. Other coaches likely will do the same.

[kgun12]

I dislike the play but if it’s legal he’ll yeah use it

[Woodman]

I dislike the play but if it’s legal he’ll yeah use it

Until they ban it.

[YardRat]

I guess I didn't realize it was that long ago when they changed the rule. Surprised none of the "experts" took advantage of it before recently.

[Turf]

While they're at it they should also ban the unlimited laterals to 2 especially last play of the game. This isn't rugby, evolve.

[Woodman]

I guess I didn't realize it was that long ago when they changed the rule. Surprised none of the "experts" took advantage of it before recently.

They just needed somebody to break the ice.

[Prov401]

Leave it. All the rules are skewed to the offense anyways.

[Bill Cody]

Until they ban it.

They will. It's gotten out of hand.

[Historian]

Agreed.

[Woodman]

They will. It's gotten out of hand.

It's totally out of hand ..... it doesn't need to be 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1 ..... hell I'd feel confident making the 1st down even if it were 3 or 4 yards to go.

[Bill Cody]

It's totally out of hand ..... it doesn't need to be 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1 ..... hell I'd feel confident making the 1st down even if it were 3 or 4 yards to go.

It looks like cheating. Except it's not cheating. Which makes it just embarrassing.

[mightysimi]

While they're at it they should also ban the unlimited laterals to 2 especially last play of the game. This isn't rugby, evolve.

But then we wouldn't have seen Chandler Jones stiff arm Mac Jones to the ground and that was great.

[OpIv37]

IIRC, the reason they removed the rule is because it was NEVER called. I vaguely remember seeing it called every once in a while in the early 90's when I was a kid and first started watching football, but by the early 00's it was never called no matter how blatant it was.

I'd leave it. I know the Bills will be victimized by a bad call around a new rule sooner rather than later.

[Woodman]

But then we wouldn't have seen Chandler Jones stiff arm Mac Jones to the ground and that was great.

That did make it all worth it.

[mightysimi]

That did make it all worth it.

That was great but having that be the reason they lost was even better

[Woodman]

That was great but having that be the reason they lost was even better

It was a double win.