ESPN analyst Booger McFarland calls out NFL, Packers over tush push ban proposal

ESPN’s Booger McFarland sounded off on a key offseason issue on Wednesday evening on NFL Live. The Philadelphia Eagles created the tush push a few years ago, and it’s one of the more unstoppable short yardage plays for their franchise since they implemented it.

But that doesn’t mean everybody likes it.

And the Green Bay Packers caused quite a stir this offseason for proposing to ban the play. Plenty of people have ripped the Packers for trying to get rid of the play.

"Why are we getting rid of it? Because most of the NFL can't stop it? Okay, go out practice and get better. The play is open to everybody."@ESPNBooger does not agree with the Packers tush push ban proposal 👀 pic.twitter.com/CsMbemftL2

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 19, 2025

Booger McFarland on the tush push

“No I don’t,” McFarland began. “And I get it. And I understand what everybody’s been saying, but there’s been no data that’s come out and said that this play is dangerous from a health and safety standpoint. So, why are we getting rid of it? Because most of the NFL can’t stop it? Okay, go out and practice it. And get better. They play’s open to everybody. If you can’t stop it, why don’t you implement it yourself on your team?”

McFarland continued his defense of the play.

“I think this is a legal play,” he said. “This is a good play. For those who are trying to get rid of it. I’ve got one thing to say to you. Get better at it. Defend it. If you can’t defend it, then maybe you should try doing it yourself. I love what Philadelphia does because they have a huge offensive line. These guys are 6-5, 6-6 320-350 pounds. And they’re using what they have to their advantage. And so, for every coach out there, shame on you for wanting to get rid of a play that’s been successful just because you can’t stop it.”

Clearly McFarland doesn’t see anything wrong with the Tush Push but the Packers do. But are they willing to admit that?

Packers GM shares his thoughts

The Green Bay Packers raised a proposal to ban the “Tush Push” play, perfected by the Philadelphia Eagles, and their general manager Brian Gutekunst is shedding some light on their thought process.

While Gutekunst admitted the Packers haven’t been great at stopping the play when facing the Eagles, who they lost to in the NFC Wild Card Round, he cited injury rates as a reason for it to be banned, although he added that he hasn’t “put much thought into it.”

“We’re not very successful against it, I know that, but to be honest with you I haven’t put much thought into it,” Gutekunst said, per Pro Football Talk. “It’s been around for a while, we’ve used it in different fashions with our tight end, so again, I think there will be a lot of discussions about it.

“I’ve got to look at some of the information as far as injury rates, things like that, to see. But we’ll see.”

Continuing, Gutekunst made sure to point out the proposal hasn’t been discussed ad nauseam by Green Bay, but he’s ready to really sink his teeth into over the next few weeks.

“I’m aware of it, we really haven’t had many discussions about it. I’m sure we will over the next few weeks heading into the owners’ meetings,” the Packers general manager added. “I’m aware that we did but we really haven’t had many discussions about it.”

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this article.