Competition committee “definitely split” on QB push play

NFL: FEB 12 Super Bowl LVII - Eagles vs Chiefs
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There was no proposed rule to vote for at the annual league meeting on the quarterback push play the Eagles made infamous in 2022.

But there has been discussion about it, as competition committee chair Rich McKay detailed during his Tuesday press conference.

“Yes, it’s in the report, we’ve got a position on it,” McKay said. “The committee definitely split on the play and whether the play should be legal or not legal. The history being we took the language out … and we allowed the push because of officiating. There was this concern by officials down the field in some of these goal-line [situations], people are trying to get that 2 yards in open field, it’s very hard to tell when a guy is coming in to block and when a guy is coming in to push. So we took it out.

“We did not think it would become strategy. And here we are. But nobody made a rules proposal. Nor was there enough support on the committee for us to propose a rules change. So, it will stay in. Certainly looked at all of the injury data, see if there’s something there. And that’s where that play is.”

So, the NFL will continue to monitor the play. And teams like the Eagles and — at least — the Broncos will take advantage of the NFL not shutting it down.

8 responses to “Competition committee “definitely split” on QB push play

  1. Tie the banning of pushing QB’s to limiting QB’s to six positive yardage rushes in a game. This will end the constant cheating that teams with running backs as QB’s getting protection for that player that normally running backs don’t have. End the Lame and Fields cheating. Force them to earn their money by doing their job – passing the ball!

  2. Its not a great strategy unless you have the best O-line and a QB who can squat about 600 lbs.

  3. Whether they eliminate the “push play” or not, the Eagles were running the most effective QB sneak in the NFL and will continue to do so behind that monster offensive line.

    It astonishes me how a bunch of “tough guy” fans who generally lament that football has become “basketball in cleats” or is “slowly becoming flag football” are actually worried about this play because it takes away from the “aesthetics of the game” (LOL, tough guys), and resembles rugby. Last time I checked, rugby was as physically brutal as football, and *without pads.( So what’s the problem, guys? Is it that rugby isn’t from ‘merica? guess so.

  4. Fans of teams that can’t execute are the only ones complaining. There’s no rule that says the defense can’t push back. In a league being weakened by poor officiating this is the least of its problems. Stop whining

  5. Carroll Prescott says:
    March 28, 2023 at 5:01 pm
    Tie the banning of pushing QB’s to limiting QB’s to six positive yardage rushes in a game. This will end the constant cheating that teams with running backs as QB’s getting protection for that player that normally running backs don’t have. End the Lame and Fields cheating. Force them to earn their money by doing their job – passing the ball!

    Why? If a player can run well and pass well they are the ultimate threat and great fun to watch. Not too many of those guys around though, but Mahomes, Allen and Lawrence come to mind quickly. Hurts and Fields and a few others may get there, time will tell.
    The league didn’t stop rushing QBs like Tarkenton, Elway, Young, McNabb, Vick or Cunningham – no need to stop them now. The league wanted offense, they got it!

  6. The entire league should be doing this. To date, no one can stop it. Problem I see is 4th and 2 (or less) is going to become as automatic as an extra point. That takes the anticipation out of the game. NFL and the network may as well take a commercial break.

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