The Philadelphia Eagles’ controversial yet wildly effective “tush push” play isn’t going anywhere, at least not this season. NFL owners shot down a rule change proposal Wednesday that would have banned the maneuver, allowing the Birds to keep one of their most dependable weapons on the field.
The motion, introduced by the Green Bay Packers didn’t garner enough support during league meetings, meaning the tush push stays in play for the 2025 season.
Kelce Makes the Case: “Keep Football Football”
What may have tipped the scales? A passionate intervention by longtime Eagles center Jason Kelce.
As owners debated behind closed doors, Philadelphia team owner Jeffrey Lurie reportedly brought Kelce into the room to defend the play. The Eagles have turned the tush push into an art form, and Kelce, at the center of it all, had plenty to say. His arguments, reportedly candid and persuasive, appeared to carry enough weight to help stall the ban.
What the Packers Wanted
Had it passed, the proposal would’ve outlawed any offensive player from pushing a teammate who takes a snap while lined up directly behind the center. The wording was clear: penalties would be assessed for infractions.
The vote had originally been scheduled for April but was pushed back to May to allow for further discussion. That delay gave the Eagles time to rally support, and they used it wisely.
Safety, Fairness, and a Lot of Noise
The debate wasn’t just about strategy. Safety was a big concern.
Rich McKay, who chairs the NFL Competition Committee, acknowledged that while health concerns were discussed, the league lacks data to call the play dangerous.
“There was not enough data to say whether it is a dangerous play,” McKay said in April, hinting that optics may be playing as big a role as hard facts.
Still, critics haven’t been shy.
Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu didn’t mince words, calling the play “cheap.”
For the Eagles, It’s Just Football
For their part, the Eagles remain unapologetic. They argue it’s a legitimate, physical play that rewards discipline and coordination. And they’ve got results to back it up.
During Super Bowl LIX, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scored a critical touchdown off a tush push against the Kansas City Chiefs. The team used the same formation earlier in the season against the Atlanta Falcons, same result. Yardage. Touchdowns. Momentum.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers weighed in recently, saying, “It’s football,” but admitted he was curious to see how the vote would unfold.
Now he and every other coach knows: the tush push lives on.
If You Can’t Beat It, Stop It
With the rule unchanged, teams across the league will need to adapt. As the saying goes, if you don’t like it, stop it.
That’s easier said than done when the Eagles line up, tighten formation, and barrel forward with precision. Love it or hate it, the tush push has become more than a play. It’s a symbol of innovation, grit, and, yes, controversy.
The NFL might revisit the issue down the road. But for now, one thing’s clear: the tush push isn’t just legal, it’s untouchable.
