In a move that has sent ripples through the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly set his sights on eliminating the Philadelphia Eagles' controversial "tush push" play—a tactic that has been instrumental in their back-to-back Super Bowl runs. The play involves the quarterback positioning himself behind the center and then being thrust into the end zone with the aid of two teammates during critical short-yardage situations.
Goodell's intervention is motivated by a desire to maintain competitive balance within the league. Coaches from various teams have struggled to find a counterstrategy against the Eagles' innovative approach, prompting discussions about potential unfair advantages. According to a report by The Athletic, Goodell believes that addressing these concerns is essential for ensuring a level playing field.
Authority in Question
Despite his influential position, Goodell does not possess the unilateral power to ban the play. Any such rule change would require a majority vote from the competition committee, followed by approval from team owners. The competition committee, an eight-person board tasked with overseeing and recommending changes to the game's rules, includes representatives from three 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, the Philadelphia Eagles do not have a representative on the committee.
A league insider conveyed to The Athletic's NFL reporter Dianna Russini that while Goodell may lack a direct role in the committee's decisions, his opinion could carry significant weight. "Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell," Russini noted. "I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently."
The Eagles' execution of the "tush push" has been unmatched, even as other teams have attempted to replicate their success. Since the beginning of the 2022 season, the team has achieved an impressive 93.5 percent success rate in short-yardage scenarios when deploying this strategy, with multiple players lining up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts to execute the play, according to statistics from The Athletic as of October 18.
Jason Kelce, the Eagles' center, acknowledged the physical toll of the play during an NBC interview in October. "All the weight and everything lying on top of you, and you've got to wait for everybody else to get up before you can get up," he explained. "It's a grueling play, for sure. And if you do it right, you're at the bottom. If you're not at the bottom, it usually didn't go well."
Despite its challenges, Kelce and his teammates believe the play should remain legal. He defended the tactic, characterizing the "tush push" as nothing more than a variation of the traditional quarterback sneak play.
Concerns Over Unbeatable Strategy
While instances of injury from the play are rare, it appears that Goodell's interest in banning the "tush push" stems from its perceived invincibility rather than safety concerns. History shows that sports governing bodies sometimes intervene to curb tactics that become too dominant. A notable example is the St. George Dragons' reign in Australian rugby league. The team secured 11 consecutive championships from 1956 to 1966 using unlimited tackle rugby, a streak that ended only after rule changes were introduced to limit tackles, illustrating how regulatory adjustments can impact the dynamics of a sport.
The Eagles, for their part, may seek to persuade the league that their "tush push" is a product of skillful coaching and player execution rather than an inherent unfairness. They contend that it is the responsibility of opposing coaches to devise effective strategies to stop them, not the league's role to eliminate their successful plays through administrative action.
As the debate continues, the future of the "tush push" hangs in the balance. With the competition committee's decision pending and the subsequent need for owner approval, the NFL community eagerly awaits the final verdict on whether this distinctive play will remain a part of the Eagles' offensive arsenal or be relegated to the annals of football history.