The Philadelphia Eagles have benefitted from a controversial play that they have coined the “Tush Push.” And one assistant coach of their next opponent, the Washington Commanders, is calling for the play to be banned by the NFL.
For those unaware of what exactly “The Tush Push” is, it is a deviation from the standard quarterback sneak play that you will see by most teams on any given week.
Instead of having the quarterback get over the line to gain on his own, the Eagles have a player behind quarterback Jalen Hurts push him from behind for an additional boost. They pulled this move off for a touchdown in their Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jalen Hurts on the tush push every time.
20-3 Eagles. 🏈🦅 #MNF pic.twitter.com/5iDRmRtBWh
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 26, 2023
It is a play that has been unbelievably successful for the Eagles, and there is now talk of whether the league should change the rules to no longer allow them to have a player pushing the quarterback on a quarterback sneak play.
Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio spoke about the Eagles’ signature play earlier this week, where he said that he would like to see it banned, calling it a “Rugby play”.
“I would personally like to see it eliminated, not just because they run it better than anybody, although they do run it better than anybody, but I don’t think that’s a football play,” Jack Del Rio said via Pro Football Talk. “I think it’s a nice rugby play, and it’s not what we’re looking for in football. But until it’s outlawed, we’ll prepare for it and get ready to do our best to stop it.”
Fans offered their opinions on Del Rio’s comments on social media.
Give it a couple years to see if teams figure out how to stop it before you make a rule against it. It's too new
— RyGuy (@VooDooRyGuy) September 30, 2023
I have a suggestion. All the teams complaining about it, get good enough to be at the 1 yard line occasionally and then try a QB sneak with someone pushing them (which is legal they do it with screens all the time in the open field) and then see how it works for ya
— DC NJ (@dcnfl26) September 30, 2023
So would most football fans.
— Joe Munding (@crownroyal64) September 30, 2023
That’s a loser talking. Get better DLine play and/or strategy. Rugby is part of the DNA of our beloved game.
— lou tibbs (@LouisTibbs) September 30, 2023
Tell him to cry more pic.twitter.com/ahcKvJYdCo
— bz (@bzieg477) September 30, 2023
There are obviously plenty of fans who agree with Del Rio and would like it see banned. It clearly isn’t the most thrilling play to watch. However, some blame clearly has to go on NFL defenses for not coming up with a way to stop the pretty simple play call.
And since it is a move that has worked to great success in Philadelphia, why aren’t more teams running it as long as it is legal?
It seems like the Eagles are benefitting from the current rules, and other teams should do less complaining and follow their lead in short-yardage situations.
