The tush push is here to stay, and the New York Giants helped prove they still hate it.
NFL owners voted 22-10 on Wednesday against banning the controversial short-yardage play made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles — a ruling that means the “brotherly shove” is alive and well in 2025. The G-Men were one of the teams in favor of banning it. Which makes some sense... but also makes very little in another.
Yes, the play is annoying. Yes, it’s mostly been weaponized by their hated rival. But this was the Giants’ moment to show a little backbone. The Eagles went full desperation mode — Jason Kelce even lobbied owners personally. When it passed, Philly posted a celebratory “Push On” graphic like they just won the Super Bowl again. Meanwhile, the Giants quietly voted to take the ball off the tee rather than swing at it.
They could’ve backed the defense they just spent an entire offseason rebuilding. They could’ve voted with confidence in a front seven that suddenly looks like one of the league's best. But they didn’t. They saw the matchup they’d been gearing up for and passed on the challenge.
Giants’ vote on tush push says more about doubt than confidence
Dexter Lawrence. Brian Burns. Kayvon Thibodeaux. Bobby Okereke. That’s four centerpieces of a front seven that finally looks like it belongs in today’s NFL. And the upgrades don’t stop there.
New York added Chauncey Golston in free agency, drafted Darius Alexander, and brought in Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick — a player who’s already being compared to the Micah Parsons/Von Miller mold.
There’s depth. There’s versatility. There’s star power. And with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen entering his second year, there’s every reason to believe this group can take another leap. From the interior out to the edge, this front is built to be aggressive, disruptive, and physical — the exact kind of unit you want when you’re staring down a tush push.
Instead of backing that group, the Giants fell in line with the 21 other teams who voted to ban the play altogether. And in doing so, they passed up the perfect chance to send a strong message to their rivals.
The Giants have invested premium picks and dollars into building a group that can bully opponents at the line of scrimmage. And in a division where the tush push gets airtime twice a season, you’d think this would’ve been the perfect time to show they’re ready for it.
But no. They took the safe route. They sided with aesthetics or injury concerns — of which there has been zero evidence to suggest the play is any more dangerous than any other football play. And they missed a chance to show Philly — and the rest of the league — that this defense isn’t scared of anything.
It's one thing to want a rule change due to legitimate health and safety concerns. It's another if it's for an ulterior motive... like say just not being able to stop it.
The Eagles will run the tush push again in 2025. They'll run it often. That's a bet. And unless something changes, the Giants will have to get on with their lives and try to stop it. Bowen is literally on the team to help them stop plays exactly like this. Figure it out and settle it on the field.