Packers are catching heat over the tush push, but the criticism misses the point and ignores a league-wide aspect

But those people miss the key point. It was never about the Packers, and it's probably not a Packers original idea. Green Bay is the only team without an owner, and that's ultimately why it was up to the Packers to start the discussion, at least publicly.

Mark Murphy, the Packers president who will retire in a few weeks, was asked in league meetings earlier this year if the NFL had somewhat requested the Packers to serve as a scapegoat in a discussion more owners wanted to have. His answer makes everything pretty clear.

"I mean," Murphy said, "we're always in touch with the league."

This week, The Athletic's Dianna Russini talked to an NFL general manager and said "he believes by the Packers proposing the rule change, it softens the appearance that another owner is staunchly against the play, even if other teams support it."

After all, the majority of teams wanted to ban the tush push (22 to 10). However, rule changes in the NFL demand a two thirds supermajority, that's why 24 votes were necessary. It didn't happen, and the Packers got out of the situation looking like the weak link.

For a franchise that's used to operating at a different pace than most, it probably doesn't matter. And that's why it was them starting this uncomfortable situation.