Mike Tomlin isn't at the NFL annual meeting just to answer questions from the media. As a member of the competition committee, he's also here to take part in meetings that could affect the playing rules in 2025.
A couple of rule changes being discussed are banning the "tush push" and making changes to the dynamic kickoff. With still a couple of days to go here, there's still plenty to talk about on both topics.
"I think we're still in hot debate on it," Tomlin said on the "tush push" rule change. "We just left the meeting where some other further discussions have been had, and it might even change here in the next 24 hours in terms of some of the language or the trajectory of some of the arguments based on the change in potential language, but it applies to that and all of the other proposals that we're discussing. It's really fluid at this point."
Regarding the kickoff rule, it sounds like there could be some changes to the initial proposal. As proposed, kicks into or through the end zone would result in touchbacks having the ball placed at the 35-yard line.
"That's been some of the discussion, whether the ball comes out to the 35 or where we whether we kick off from the 30 as opposed to the 35, the position of the coverage units. I think all of those things have been a component of healthy discussion," Tomlin said. "There was some language changes this morning, and so I'd probably be premature if I was commenting on those things until we get greater clarity a little later in these in these meetings."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
12:23 am - 03.31.2025Palm Beach, Fla.'Hot debate' ongoing over 'tush push'
Mike Tomlin isn't at the NFL annual meeting just to answer questions from the media. As a member of the competition committee, he's also here to take part in meetings that could affect the playing rules in 2025.
A couple of rule changes being discussed are banning the "tush push" and making changes to the dynamic kickoff. With still a couple of days to go here, there's still plenty to talk about on both topics.
"I think we're still in hot debate on it," Tomlin said on the "tush push" rule change. "We just left the meeting where some other further discussions have been had, and it might even change here in the next 24 hours in terms of some of the language or the trajectory of some of the arguments based on the change in potential language, but it applies to that and all of the other proposals that we're discussing. It's really fluid at this point."
Regarding the kickoff rule, it sounds like there could be some changes to the initial proposal. As proposed, kicks into or through the end zone would result in touchbacks having the ball placed at the 35-yard line.
"That's been some of the discussion, whether the ball comes out to the 35 or where we whether we kick off from the 30 as opposed to the 35, the position of the coverage units. I think all of those things have been a component of healthy discussion," Tomlin said. "There was some language changes this morning, and so I'd probably be premature if I was commenting on those things until we get greater clarity a little later in these in these meetings."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!