In a move that has sparked considerable debate across the National Football League, Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly taken steps to eliminate the Philadelphia Eagles’ controversial “tush push” play—a tactic that has been instrumental in their consecutive Super Bowl runs.
The "tush push" is a strategic maneuver involving the quarterback lining up directly behind the center and being propelled into the end zone with the help of two additional players during critical short-yardage situations. This technique has caused headaches for defensive coordinators league-wide and raised questions about competitive fairness.
Goodell's decision aims to address these concerns by leveling the playing field, according to The Athletic. However, it appears the Commissioner’s intentions may face procedural roadblocks as he does not possess the unilateral authority to ban a play outright.
Competitive Committee's Role
The process to officially outlaw the play requires a majority vote from the NFL's competition committee, followed by approval from the team owners. The competition committee, an eight-member panel responsible for overseeing and advising on all aspects of the game, includes representatives from various teams—three of which are from NFC East franchises: Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys; John Mara, owner of the New York Giants; and Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Commanders. Notably, the Philadelphia Eagles do not have a member on this influential committee.
An internal league source informed The Athletic’s NFL reporter Dianna Russini that Goodell is advocating strongly for the play’s removal, despite his lack of voting power on the committee. "Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell," Russini reported. "I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently."
Teams around the league have attempted to replicate the Eagles' success with their versions of the "tush push," but none have matched the Eagles' proficiency. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Eagles have executed the play with a staggering 93.5 percent success rate in short-yardage scenarios as of October 18, per The Athletic.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce described the physical toll of the "tush push" during an NBC interview in October. "All the weight and everything lying up on top of you, and you've got to wait for everybody else to get up before you can get up," Kelce said. "It’s a grueling play, for sure. And, you know, if you do it right, you’re at the bottom. If you’re not at the bottom, it usually didn’t go well."
Despite acknowledging the play's demanding nature, Kelce and his teammates believe the "tush push" should remain legal. They argue that it is merely a variation of the traditional quarterback sneak play.
Unbeatable Strategy?
While injuries resulting from the "tush push" are rare, concerns persist about its seemingly unbeatable nature, prompting Goodell's intervention. Historical precedents exist in other contact sports where dominant strategies were curtailed through rule changes. For example, the St. George Dragons’ 11-year rugby league championship streak ended after the introduction of tackle restrictions, highlighting how rule modifications can significantly impact competitive dynamics.
The Eagles, on the other hand, maintain that their innovative play is not inherently unfair. They attribute their success to exceptional coaching and player execution rather than an imbalance in the rules. The team suggests that instead of regulatory interference from the Commissioner's office, it should be the responsibility of opposing coaches to develop effective countermeasures.
As the debate continues, the football world awaits the competition committee's decision. Will the "tush push" become a relic of the past, or will it survive as a testament to the Eagles' ingenuity and skill? Only time—and the forthcoming votes—will tell.