Head coach Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles are determined to keep the widely debated “tush push” in their playbook—a strategy that played a crucial role in their Super Bowl victory this past February. Along with the Buffalo Bills, the Eagles are one of the few teams that rely heavily on this short-yardage tactic.
However, the play is now facing potential elimination, as the NFL will soon vote on whether to ban it. The Green Bay Packers were the team to propose the rule change, possibly due to their struggles in executing or stopping the play. If they had found a way to master or defend against it, they might not have pushed for its removal.
Sirianni has already spoken out on the issue, urging his former assistants—Shane Steichen, Jonathan Gannon, and Kellen Moore—to vote in favor of keeping the play, emphasizing how their coaching careers have benefited from its success. Despite his efforts, not all coaches share his perspective, with at least one notable figure advocating for a ban.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott has voiced concerns about player safety, even though there is no data linking the play to an increased injury risk. He stressed the importance of proactively prioritizing player health. His stance is surprising, considering the Bills frequently utilized the tush push in 2024 with Josh Allen. Perhaps if they had executed it more effectively in the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, they might have reached the Super Bowl—and McDermott’s opinion on the matter could be different.
Latest update about tush push play should get Eagles fans in a fantastic mood
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has provided an update on the potential ban of the “tush push,” and it’s news that should excite Philadelphia Eagles fans.
According to Schultz, the proposal to outlaw the play is unlikely to gain enough votes for approval. Instead, discussions on the matter may be postponed to a future owners’ meeting. He also noted that a source told him, “the current language in the proposal is just not clear enough and can be easily manipulated.”
This suggests that the debate surrounding the tush push is far from over, but for now, head coach Nick Sirianni and the Eagles appear to be in the clear. Realistically, there’s little justification for banning the play. It’s not Philadelphia’s fault that other teams have struggled to defend or execute it effectively.
Rather than eliminating a successful strategy, opposing defenses should focus on finding ways to counter it. The Eagles shouldn’t be penalized simply because they’ve perfected a play that others cannot stop. If Schultz’s report holds true, fans can expect to see the tush push remain a staple of the Eagles’ offense in the 2025 season.