In a move that has caught the attention of the football world, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly set his sights on banning the Philadelphia Eagles' controversial "tush push" play—a tactic that has been central to their consecutive Super Bowl runs. This play involves the quarterback lining up directly behind the center and then being propelled forward into the end zone with the help of two teammates, providing a powerful advantage during critical short-yardage situations.
The Athletic has reported on the growing frustration among opposing coaches who have found themselves unable to effectively counter this strategy. Their concerns have reached the commissioner's office, prompting Goodell to consider steps to eliminate what some perceive as an unfair edge and bring balance back to the game.
Commissioner's Limited Power
Despite his influential position, Goodell does not possess the unilateral power to enforce such a ban. The process to outlaw a play from the league requires a majority vote from the competition committee, followed by the endorsement of the team owners. Notably, the committee includes representatives from three NFC East teams—Stephen Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, John Mara of the New York Giants, and Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders. The Philadelphia Eagles, however, do not have a voice on the eight-member panel, which could influence the outcome of the vote.
An inside source from the league told The Athletic's NFL reporter Dianna Russini that while the final decision hinges on the committee's vote, the most significant stance may very well be that of Commissioner Goodell himself. Russini's report quotes the source as saying, "Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently."
Although other teams have attempted to replicate the "tush push," none have matched the Eagles' mastery or success rate. Since the beginning of the 2022 season, the Eagles have executed the play with a staggering 93.5 percent success rate when quarterback Jalen Hurts is at the helm, according to statistics from The Athletic as of October 18.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce acknowledged the physical toll of the "tush push" in an interview with NBC. "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," he admitted. Despite the challenges it presents, Kelce and his teammates maintain that the play should remain legal, arguing that it's merely a strategic variation of the quarterback sneak.
A Dominance Dilemma
The drive to potentially ban the "tush push" doesn't stem solely from its effectiveness; there are also concerns about the play's seemingly unbeatable nature. History shows that other contact sports have taken similar measures to prevent any one playstyle from becoming too dominant. For instance, the St. George Dragons' rugby league team saw their streak of 11 consecutive championships come to an end following rule changes introduced to limit tackles—an example of how regulatory adjustments can reshape competitive landscapes.
The Eagles, however, are prepared to argue that their success with the "tush push" is not a matter of fairness but rather a testament to superior coaching and player execution. They believe that it should be up to the opposing teams' coaching staffs to devise strategies to stop them, rather than having the league step in with a heavy-handed approach.
As the debate continues, the football community will be watching closely to see if Goodell's push to ban the "tush push" gains traction or if the Eagles will be allowed to continue employing their signature move. With the competition committee's decision looming, the future of this unconventional play hangs in the balance, as does the strategic playbook of one of the NFL's most formidable franchises.