The Buffalo Bills may be on the verge of losing one of their most effective plays with quarterback Josh Allen.
The Green Bay Packers have proposed banning the “tush push,” a play in which offensive teammates line up behind the quarterback and push them forward on a sneak. The Bills have successfully used this strategy with Allen under center, but head coach Sean McDermott has expressed opposition to the play.
As a member of the NFL’s rules committee, McDermott recently hinted that a ban could be on the horizon.
McDermott cited player safety as his main concern, even though there is no definitive evidence suggesting the play increases the risk of injury.
“It comes down to two things,” McDermott told Syracuse.com. “First, the added force, and second, the posture players are in when executing the play—that’s what concerns me. … I’m not a doctor, so I won’t dive too deep into the data, but there is evidence that certain postures can lead to serious injuries. Taking a responsible and proactive approach is the right move.”
The Bills and Philadelphia Eagles have been among the most frequent users of the play. However, Buffalo often ran a more traditional quarterback sneak last season, with Allen diving forward without assistance. The team regularly relied on Allen in short-yardage situations on third and fourth downs.
McDermott acknowledged that even if the league bans the “tush push,” teams will still have other quarterback sneak variations available.
“I think ‘tush push’ is a broad term—it can take different forms,” he said. “Yes, we’re one of the teams known for using it, and that’s fair. But ultimately, we’ll always prioritize player health and safety. That’s the responsible approach.”
Bills Struggled in Playoffs
While the Bills had success with quarterback sneaks during the regular season, they faced difficulties in their AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs’ defense repeatedly stopped Allen on short-yardage runs, including a critical fourth-quarter possession.
Despite the play’s effectiveness, the Bills—especially McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane—have emphasized the importance of reducing the number of hits Allen takes. Last season, the team called fewer designed runs for him and encouraged him to take fewer hits on scrambles.
The NFL is set to vote on the proposed “tush push” ban on Friday.