NFL: Goodbye to the Tush Push? Debate and Future of the Controversial Play

The Controversial “Tush Push” Could Stay: Analysis on Alofoke Deportes

Despite the growing controversy and debate generated this season, the controversial “Tush Push” might not disappear soon from American football. Sources close to the league have revealed to Alofoke Deportes that there are no guarantees that the issue will be discussed or put to a vote in the next NFL offseason. A source indicated that, following the intense discussion and emotions sparked by this play last season, they believe the topic needs to be postponed for a year before being reconsidered. There is also the practical difficulty of trying to ban the play again. Former Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy authored the proposal to ban the “Tush Push” in the previous offseason, but he retired in July upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. The proposal to ban the “Tush Push” received 22 votes last spring, but needed 24 to pass. A new proposal would require a new author, more support, and more votes. A source commented that they don’t know if that could or will happen, adding that there has been no movement for it to happen, at least at this stage of the year. Criticism of the play could eventually lead a team to draft a new proposal to ban the “Tush Push” later in the season, but that is not the case currently, as the NFL enters its third week of competition. Regardless of whether the league votes on a new proposal, the “Tush Push” is here to stay this season. The “Tush Push” has come under scrutiny again after the Philadelphia Eagles used the play six times in their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. The NFL instructed referees this week to call the play as “tight” going forward, and also announced that Philadelphia should have been penalized for at least one false start when they used the “Tush Push” last Sunday. The current Super Bowl champions, the Eagles, have defended the use of the play in recent days. Left tackle Jordan Mailata criticized detractors who used the “Tush Push” “as an excuse for why we won the game” during a radio interview on Tuesday. The next day, center Cam Jurgens said the Eagles “aren’t trying to worry about what other teams or people are saying.”

We’re trying to worry about what we’re doing here. If the league wants to step in and say something and emphasize the rules, we’ll take that into account. But it’s the same as always: play Eagles football.

Cam Jurgens

Critics of the “Tush Push” have argued that it is a dangerous play, but there was not enough injury data to ban it on safety grounds. The Eagles (2-0) have dominated the “Tush Push” in short-yardage situations, converting the play 96.6% of the time in fourth-and-1 situations since 2022. Former Eagles center Jason Kelce, who defended the “Tush Push” and presented a detailed presentation to NFL owners last spring, said he believes the renewed criticism will lead to the play being banned. “I think the play is over,” Kelce said on Friday during an interview. “I think there are a lot of people within the league, at multiple levels, who want the play to go away, which is fine.” “I think [the Eagles] will run the ‘quarterback sneak’ again, and I’m sure they’ll find ways to succeed. I’m really not worried about that, to be honest.” Despite growing frustration with the play, there is no significant opposition that could result in its prohibition.