In a controversial move that has sent ripples through the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly taken steps to eliminate the Philadelphia Eagles' innovative "tush push" play—a strategy that has been pivotal in their back-to-back Super Bowl runs. This unique play involves the quarterback taking position behind the center and then being propelled into the end zone by two assisting players during critical short-yardage situations.
Opposition coaches have found themselves at a loss against this tactic, prompting Goodell to address what is perceived as an unfair advantage. His intervention aims to restore competitive balance within the league, according to sources from The Athletic.
Goodell's Limited Power
Despite his position, Goodell does not possess unilateral authority to ban any play directly. Instead, such a change would require a majority vote from the competition committee, followed by approval from team owners. The current composition of the committee includes three members from NFC East teams—Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys; John Mara, owner of the New York Giants; and Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Commanders. Notably absent from the eight-person board is a representative from the Eagles.
An internal source revealed to The Athletic's NFL reporter Dianna Russini that while the final decision hinges on the committee's vote, Goodell's stance could be highly influential. "Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell," Russini reported. "I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently."
The Eagles have perfected the "tush push" to such a degree that other teams attempting to replicate it have fallen short. Since the start 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, as per statistics from The Athletic as of October 18.
Jason Kelce, the Eagles’ center, has acknowledged the physical toll of the "tush push" during an NBC interview in October. "All the weight and everything lying up on top of you, and you've got to wait for everybody else to get up before you can get up," he said. "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."
Despite these challenges, Kelce and his teammates maintain that the play should remain legal. In their view, the "tush push" is merely a strategic variation of the classic quarterback sneak play.
The Debate Over Unbeatability
While the risk of injury from the play seems minimal, concerns over its seemingly unbeatable nature are at the heart of Goodell's push for a ban. Historical precedents in contact sports show that dominant strategies can be curtailed by rule changes. For example, the St. George Dragons' rugby league team in Australia saw their 11-year championship streak end after the introduction of tackle restrictions, highlighting how rules can impact the dynamics of a sport.
The Eagles, on the other hand, argue that their success with the "tush push" comes down to superior coaching and player execution rather than any inherent unfairness. They believe that it is the responsibility of the opposing teams' coaches to devise strategies to counteract them, not for the league to intervene with a ban.
As the debate continues, the future of the "tush push" remains uncertain. With Goodell's influence apparent but his power limited, the fate of this controversial play lies in the hands of the competition committee and the team owners. Whether they will uphold the spirit of innovation or prioritize competitive parity will soon become clear, setting a precedent for how the NFL handles similar issues in the future.