LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – The controversial tush push play lives on after it survived a vote by NFL owners Wednesday to ban it. It fell two votes short of being banned, according to reports, with 22 owners voting for it to end when 24 votes were needed.
While the often successful quarterback sneak play is still allowed, new Bears head coach Ben Johnson doesn’t sound likely to draw up a tush push in short-yardage situations. Asked Wednesday about the play surviving, Johnson explained that he isn’t a proponent of it.
"I like explosive plays,” Johnson said. “I like big plays. So, I'm not a big tush push guy myself."
The NFL’s vote on the tush push was tabled during the league meetings in March before being considered as owners gathered in Minneapolis this week. The movement to ban the play, which was proposed by the Packers, cited safety concerns.
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, who have had great success running the tush push with quarterback Jalen Hurts, were staunch defenders of it remaining in place. The Bears voted to ban it.
New Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has faced the formation before but isn’t fighting for it to be removed.
"I mean, shoot, you got to stop it,” Jarrett said. “Know what I'm saying? At the end of the day, you have to stop it. It's been stopped before. Not at a high rate. But don't let them get third-and-1, fourth-and-1, (because) you know what's coming. I've played Philly a lot of times, they are a tough group. They have a combination of players and the quarterback that makes it successful. At the end of the day, the rules are the rules. You have to find a way to stop it.
"I don't think anybody has gotten hurt yet. That would have a legit argument.
I don't think anybody is getting hurt. It's a compromised position that guys are down in. Just got to do what you got to do. Can't cry over something you can’t change.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.