It's hard to believe all of the complaints around the NFL. The push to ban the Philadelphia Eagles' Tush Push needs to be pushed aside.
First and foremost, it’s a glorified quarterback sneak.
Secondly, there were no confirmed injuries in the NFL this past season due to this play. Does it take a toll on Eagles players and especially Quarterback Jalen Hurts, center Cam Jurgens and former Eagles center Jason Kelce? Yes, no question about it. It’s a gut-wrenching, difficult play. Again though, no injuries!
Last but not least, if you want the tush push out of the game here’s the simple solution: stop the play. Yes, it’s that simple. If you want the tush push out of the NFL then stop it. Just stop it and stop complaining.
Yet this conversation has been such a lightning rod topic that even the President of the United States weighed in on it.
The Eagles' Success With the Tush Push
The Eagles have turned the quarterback sneak into an almost unstoppable weapon since Nick Sirianni became the head coach in 2021. They led the league in attempts while maintaining one of the highest conversion rates.
Since 2022, Philadelphia has attempted the tush push or QB sneak an incredible 92 times on 3rd or 4th and 1, converting at a 91.3% success rate—well above the NFL average of 84.2% on these short-yardage situations.
Despite their success, the Eagles’ signature play has become one of the most controversial topics in the league. Some coaches and executives believe the play should remain part of the game, while others argue that it should be banned due to fairness and player safety concerns.
The Green Bay Packers have led the push this offseason to ban the Tush Push when Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy called it “bad for the game” in a message posted on the team’s website after Green Bay was eliminated by the Eagles in the playoffs. "There is no skill involved, and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less,” Murphy wrote.
Of course, the Packers aren’t fans of the play—Philadelphia eliminated them from the playoffs and also defeated them in the season opener in Brazil.
What Other Coaches Have to Say
Surprisingly Buffalo Bills head coach, Sean McDermott, who indeed runs the play with Josh Allen, said at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last week that he’s also not a fan.
“There has always been an injury risk with that play, and I’ve expressed that opinion for the last couple of years… the techniques used with that play have been potentially contrary to the health and safety of the players.”
Just for the record, over the last three seasons, the only team to run the play more than the Philadelphia Eagles was the Buffalo Bills. Surprising, right?
The concern for the Bills is that the Eagles center dives at the knees of opposing teams defensive line every time. I understand the injury fear. However, again there were no injuries confirmed due to the play. And with all due respect to McDermott, if it’s that dangerous, why are you running it?
The NFL health and safety committee did raise concerns about potential injuries due to this play, but their data showed there have been zero injuries relating to the tush push.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris took it a step further, saying he’s wanted the play banned for years, noting that he "thought it should have been illegal three years ago… The tush push play, I’ve never been a big fan."
Sirianni, at the NFL combine in Indianapolis took offense to these comments and fired back saying “It’s a little insulting… We work really hard at it.”
Of all coaches who would want the play banned, you would expect it to be the one that was blown out by the Eagles in the Super Bowl and kept from NFL History. Instead, Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid actually complimented Sirianni and the Eagles for their creativity and execution, saying "it's a heck of a play ... my hat goes off to them."
Reid, who has a close relationship with former Eagles star Eagles' center Jason Kelce, acknowledged the difficulty of running the play at such a high level. And he's not alone in that opinion.
While teams like the Packers want the play gone, others argue that banning it would be unfair. Texans General Manager Nick Caserio believes the Eagles should not be punished for simply executing better than the rest of the league.
“You don’t want to penalize a team that’s done something very well. Just because you can’t stop the play, is that something you have to take out of the game? You got to be careful about totally ridding the game of it… It’s a well-executed play by the Eagles. Nobody has been able to stop it, so honestly, the onus is on figuring out a way [to stop it].
I find it hard to believe that this will even reach a potential vote at the end of the month at the annual NFL league meetings. Even if it were to go to a vote it would take 24 to 32 owners to kill the play.
Until then, shush on the tush push ban, and figure out a way to stop it.