Tush Push NFL: Why don’t the rest of the teams use it? Eagles and the secret.

The “Tush Push”: The Eagles’ Secret Play That the Rest of the NFL Can’t Figure Out?

In American football, a play has generated debate and controversy: the “tush push”. This tactic, popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles, has proven to be almost unstoppable in fourth-down situations and one yard to advance. However, many NFL teams are reluctant to adopt it, raising questions about its viability and the reason for its limited implementation. Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris is a clear example of skepticism. Morris questions the legality of the play and has voted against it. The play, which involves pushing the ball carrier from behind, has been effective for the Eagles, who have converted 96.6% of their attempts in fourth-down and one-yard-to-go situations since 2022.

The play is simple but effective: the quarterback receives the ball and throws himself forward behind an offensive line that pushes him. The Eagles have attempted this play 116 times since 2022. The Eagles’ success contrasts with the lack of adoption by other teams. The league’s average success rate for a fourth-down-and-one play that is not the “tush push” is 67.0% since 2022, while the “tush push” has a rate of 84.8%. The debate over the “tush push” has reached such a point that a ban on the play was even proposed, but the measure did not pass by a few votes. Opposition to the play is based on several factors, such as the risk of injury to quarterbacks and the lack of adequate personnel to execute it. Shane Steichen, former Eagles offensive coordinator, recalls the moment the play became a key element of their strategy. In a game against the Arizona Cardinals, the play proved its effectiveness, and has since become the focus of the Eagles’ offense in short-yardage situations. The key to the “tush push”‘s success lies in the offensive line. Without a unit capable of generating the necessary momentum, the play is unfeasible. However, even with a solid offensive line, other factors come into play, such as the quarterback’s physical strength and the ability to find gaps in the defense.

The Buffalo Bills are the only team that has regularly used the “tush push”, with an 89.5% success rate. The lack of widespread adoption suggests that the Eagles’ success is the result of a unique combination of talent, technique, and strategy. Several coaches have expressed their opposition to the “tush push” for different reasons, including concerns about the safety of quarterbacks and the lack of resources to replicate the play effectively. Despite the controversy, the “tush push” remains legal and available to all teams. However, most teams still haven’t found the formula to master it, leaving the Eagles in a privileged position in the NFL landscape. In Week 1 of this season, only two teams ran the “tush push”: the Eagles and the Bills, showing that the rest of the league hasn’t yet cracked the code.