Andrew Buller-Russ
Every year, it seems there’s a new issue that arises, drawing attention from fans across the NFL. This season, aside from the tush push, we have the hip-drop tackle leading to widespread criticism.
That distaste for the controversial tackle has only grown since Baltimore Ravens All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews suffered a cracked fibula along with a ligament injury in his ankle, ending his season.
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The impact felt from the absence of Baltimore’s best pass-catcher could be devastating for a first-place Ravens team.
While nothing can be done to bring Andrews back this season, some might be happy to learn the NFL is moving closer to possibly banning the hip-drop tackle for good.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the NFL competition committee will discuss banning the hip-drop later this offseason. Yet, some, like the NFL Players Association, feel outlawing the play will be far too difficult to try and officiate in live-action.
Some, like Andrews’s teammate and Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, don’t see any issue with the hip-drop tackling style.
“At the end of the day, we play football. We play a tackling sport. I don’t think a hip-drop tackle is that bad of a thing. How else do you want us to tackle? Just let the guy run past you?”
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen on hip-drop tackle
While a discussion is set for 2024, the topic has come up before among league officials. However, the last time the hip-drop tackle was under the microscope, the committee was reportedly split on making any kind of changes. With the added attention on the tackle this season, perhaps we get a different outcome this time around.
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