Packers’ Jon Runyan: NFL is trying to phase out QB sneaks with offside penalties

In Sunday’s game against the Rams, the Packers made two attempts to run quarterback sneaks with Jordan Love on fourth-and-1. Both attempts were foiled by offside calls against Packers guard Jon Runyan.

Runyan believes the NFL has changed its approach to calling offside in order to crack down on the “tush push” version of the quarterback sneak, which the Eagles use effectively and may be banned in the future.

“I guess it was a point of emphasis with the officials,” Runyan said, as reported by SI.com. “I wish I would’ve been told that for the first one. It’s something that’s got to be communicated better. That’s the NFL trying to phase that play out slowly.”

Runyan disclosed that he has always lined up as close as possible to the line of scrimmage in short-yardage plays, without any issues until Sunday. However, he found out after the game that officials were specifically instructed to look for offensive linemen in the neutral zone on the “tush push.”

“Apparently, they send out a weekly video talking about that,” Runyan said. “Apparently, that was in the weekly video, but I had no idea. I didn’t even know they sent out a weekly video on points of emphasis. That was on it [last] week, and you can tell they were definitely looking for it because they called it twice on us.”

The Eagles also received a penalty for offensive offside on one of their “tush push” plays this season. The officials incorrectly flagged guard Landon Dickerson, while they were actually looking at center Jason Kelce’s hand. Runyan stressed that offensive linemen around the league need to be aware that officials are strictly enforcing this rule.