PHOENIX — The Philadelphia Eagles can breathe a temporary sigh of relief as the “Tush Push” remains noticeably absent from the first wave of 2026 NFL rule proposals. While the league’s most polarizing play dominated headlines last year, the early agenda for the upcoming Annual League Meeting in Arizona focuses instead on front-office flexibility. Two specific resolutions—one from the Pittsburgh Steelers and another from the Cleveland Browns—aim to fundamentally shift how teams handle free agency and future draft assets.
While fans expected another crusade against Jalen Hurts and the “Brotherly Shove,” the AFC North is leading a different charge. The Pittsburgh Steelers want to make a temporary 2025 experimental rule permanent. This would allow teams to hold one video or phone call with up to five unrestricted free agents during the legal tampering period. It also permits teams to book flights for players the moment a verbal agreement is reached, streamlining a process that was previously restricted to agent-only contact.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns are looking to play the long game—literally. Cleveland proposed expanding the draft-pick trade window from three years to five years. If passed, the Eagles could theoretically trade a 2031 first-round pick as early as this April. The Browns argue this brings the NFL closer to the NBA’s seven-year window, providing “greater roster-building flexibility” for GMs looking to navigate a record-breaking $301.2 million salary cap.
The Tush Push, however, isn’t totally in the clear. While no individual team proposed a ban this year, the 63.6% success rate the Eagles posted in 2025—a significant drop from their 90% peak in 2022—has some critics suggesting the league has finally figured out how to defend it. Still, the Competition Committee is scheduled to release its own set of proposals next week. That remains the final hurdle for Nick Sirianni’s favorite short-yardage weapon.
“I’m coming to Philly to prove I’m not washed. Playing with Jalen and A.J. changes the math for a receiver. If they want to push the pile, I’ll be right there leading the way if that’s what it takes to move the chains.”
— Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Eagles Wide Receiver (via Speakeasy Podcast)
The league meetings in Phoenix, running from March 29 to April 1, will require 24 of 32 owners to approve any changes. The Steelers’ proposal is expected to sail through, given its success as a trial run last season. The Browns’ five-year trade proposal faces a steeper climb; traditionalists worry it could lead to “draft-capital bankruptcy” for struggling franchises. For Eagles fans, the real date to circle is next Wednesday, when the Competition Committee clarifies if they intend to regulate the Tush Push out of existence or let the falling success rates settle the debate naturally.
