A controversial offensive tactic remains untouched, potentially setting up a familiar postseason nightmare for the Vikings.
There are a handful of rules up for proposed changes for the upcoming NFL season. Adam Schefter reported which rules could change.
Schefter detailed the rules that could be changing in 2026. Here were three of the rules Schefter discussed:
"1. Permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
2. Eliminate the kicking team’s incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
3. Modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team in the setup zone."
One rule that was interestingly left off was the infamous " Tush Push," which has been among the more controversial. The Tush Push, made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles has at times acted as a free trip past the first down marker on third or fourth down and short yardage plays.
The controversial play has involved NFL teams utilizing help from teammates during a quarterback sneak, pushing the quarterback from behind to get past the first down marker. That help, of course, has resulted in really an unfair advantage to the offensive team who has not only the advantage of knowing when the football will be snapped but the power of two skill players pushing for a first down. Add in Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts who squatted around 500 pounds for reps in college and you better not find yourself defending 4th and 1 against Philadelphia.
The existence of the rule probably hurts the Eagles' opponents more than anyone, but it could affect the Vikings at some point. Minnesota saw its postseason dreams come to a half at the hand of the Eagles in 2017 when Philadelphia and then quarterback Nick Foles sent the Vikings home for Super Bowl weekend. It's not difficult to envision similar happening again.
There are several rules that could aid the NFL and perhaps some more than the Tush Push. It appears that the league will have more flexibility in correcting obvious misses on penalty calls in addition to the forementioned changes the NFL is set to discuss. That said, a play as automatic as the Tush Push might be one that should be toward the top of the list of things that should be fixed in 2026.
The play's popularity has spread to teams other than the Eagles. Time will tell if it becomes more widespread, but for now it stands as a problem for the Vikings but several teams in the NFC.